Tristan

Wirfs

Wirfs has been battling a turf toe injury but makes his return to the active roster just in time for a must-win game against the divisional rival Panthers with a potential playoff spot on the line. The Buccaneers need to beat the Panthers and have the Saints beat the Falcons to back their way into the postseason. Also active is Godwin after the veteran receiver was added to the injury report earlier Saturday with an illness. Inactive for the Buccaneers are QB Connor Bazelak, CB Jamel Dean, G Elijah Klein, OLB Anthony Nelson, WR Sterling Shepard, and DL Elijah Simmons.

This is the second time this week that Wirfs’ status has changed. On Tuesday, he was reportedly set to resume practicing. Instead, he was listed as a non-participant on the official injury report. Earlier today, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Wirfs would be listed as questionable for Week 18. He is now good to go after practicing twice in a limited capacity. The Buccaneers (7-9) no longer control their own destiny. In order for them to make the playoffs, they must beat the Panthers (8-8) on Saturday and they need the Falcons (7-9) to lose to the Saints (6-10) on Sunday.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Wirfs’ status before the official injury report is out. We suspect Wirfs was limited in practice today. He missed Tuesday’s practice but was back on the field for some light work yesterday. The Bucs need a win on Saturday and an Atlanta loss on Sunday to win the NFC South and secure a playoff berth. We suspect Wirfs will push to play in the must-win game.

Wirfs has a chance to face the Panthers on Saturday. The winner takes the NFC South’s crown and punches a ticket to the postseason. Wirfs’ return to practice is very encouraging. His presence makes a difference for QB Baker Mayfield, who is currently dealing with injuries in both his knee and throwing shoulder.

So much for him re-appearing! In all honestly this isn’t a big deal, and the fact that reporters mistook him for practicing is probably still a good sign for his chances of suiting up in Week 18’s must-win against the Panthers. Most veteran offensive linemen are allowed to play with little practice, and as long as Wirfs finds the field on Wednesday or Thursday he should be considered likely to go.

The Buccaneers face a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive on Saturday afternoon. Wirfs missed last week’s game with this toe injury. The fact that he’s already practicing, even if this does wind up being a limited session, points to him playing. And the Buccaneers need every ounce of healthy talent they can get for this game given the way their late season has been going.

The Bucs declared Wirfs out with a toe injury; they will likely lean on Graham Barton to shift over to left tackle in Wirfs’ absence. Also out is Anthony Nelson (knee), who did not practice this week. Sterling Shepard is a healthy scratch with the Bucs’ receiving group now fully healthy.

The injury is not believed to be a long-term issue, but a DNP today puts Wirfs at risk of missing Week 17. If he can’t go, Graham Barton would likely move from center to left tackle to fill Wirfs’ spot in the lineup. Barton made three starts at left tackle to open the year while Wirfs was sidelined.

Otton is, unfortunately, sidelined by a knee injury. The pass-catching corps gets WR Mike Evans (collarbone) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) back tonight, though, boosting QB Baker Mayfield’s fantasy-scoring potential. Mayfield will also helpfully have LT Tristan Wirfs (oblique) protecting his blindside this evening.