Buccaneers’ star tackle Tristan Wirfs misses practice due to injury
Amidst all the positive developments surrounding Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan all returning, or nearing a return, from injury, there was one unfortunate development that arose on Wednesday.
Bucs franchise LT misses practice
Following the team’s walkthrough practice on Wednesday, First-Team All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs popped up on the Buccaneers’ injury report because of an oblique injury.
Wirfs was a non-participant during the team’s walkthrough.
There was no indication that Wirfs suffered any sort of injury during the team's 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13, probably because Wirfs was his dominant self, protecting Baker Mayfield in the passing game and paving the way for Bucky Irving in the running game.
First Team All-Pro is crucial for Tampa Bay's success
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The importance of Tristan Wirfs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ success on offense cannot be overstated. Although players like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Bucky Irving tend to steal the majority of the headlines, Wirfs is equally, if not more, important than all of them.
Although Wirfs missed the first few games of the 2025 season as he recovered from an offseason knee procedure, his presence has been felt in a big way since he returned. Despite dealing with physical limitations in the first several games since re-entering the lineup, Wirfs still managed to perform like the best offensive lineman on the field.
Over the last few weeks? He's looked like the best offensive lineman in the game.
Obviously, there is very little information to work with when it comes to assessing the severity of this injury for Wirfs. But based on how he performed against Arizona this past weekend, the fact that today was just an early week walkthrough for the team, and knowing the type of competitor that Tristan Wirfs is, it's tough to imagine this is something that will put his availability for the team's Week 14 game vs. the Saints at risk.
Eagles’ Howie Roseman tried and failed to claim Darius Slay after release
When news broke that Darius Slay and the Pittsburgh Steelers had agreed to mutually part ways after their single-season partnership went south, fans around the NFL pegged one specific team with whom “Big Play” should take the field next: the Philadelphia Eagles.
On paper, it made sense, right? Slay played well for the Eagles, knows Vic Fangio’s scheme, and technically already won one Super Bowl ring this year with the organization. Why not try to contribute to a second one down the stretch, too?
Fortunately for Eagles fans, Howie Roseman was on that same page and put in a claim to bring Slay back to town. Unfortunately, so did the Buffalo Bills, and because they were higher on the waiver wire, they were rewarded his contract, as NFL Network National Insider Ian Rapoport broke down on social media.
“A near reunion: The Eagles also put in a claim for CB Darius Slay, source said, hoping for their former starting CB to return to Philly. But Buffalo had priority and got him.” Rapoport wrote.
Now, for Eagle-eyed fans watching along at home, the third time was not the charm for Roseman and company, as after acquiring Michael Carter II and a pre-retirement Jarius Alexander at the trade deadline, the Eagles missed out on Slay when they needed him most. They will have to continue to roll with Adoree’ Jackson at CB3 and with Kelee Ringo as a swing reserve, both of whom have worse tape than Slay in 2025, hoping that another cornerback becomes available before the playoffs roll around in January.
