The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs for Sunday's critical game against the Miami Dolphins.
Tampa coach Todd Bowles told reporters Friday that Wirfs has been ruled out of this week's road game due to a toe injury he sustained in last week's 23-20 loss at the Carolina Panthers. Wirfs was able to finish that game, but has not practiced at all this week due to the injury.
In his absence, Ben Chukwuma will start and protect Baker Mayfield's blindside with the Buccaneers'
season on the line.
"We liked what we saw last time (from Chikwuma)," Bowles said. "So a chance to play and get better."
Wirfs, 26, was just named to his fifth Pro Bowl in his sixth season with Tampa Bay, which drafted him 13th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a first-team All Pro in 2021 and 2024, starting all 90 games he's played in his NFL career.
Wirfs caught his first career touchdown pass in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. He grabbed a 2-yard pass from Baker Mayfield for a second-quarter score.
Chukwuma has played 84 offensive snaps this season, starting one game vs. New Orleans and allowing one pressure and no sacks in 79 snaps.
The Buccaneers (7-8) have lost six of their last seven games since their 6-2 start, putting their run of four straight NFC South championships at risk. They trail the Panthers (8-7) by one game in the division entering Week 17, but have a chance to avenge that loss and win the division in Week 18 if they beat the Dolphins (6-9) on Sunday.
--Field Level Media
