Jenna Laine
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers positioned two-time All-Professional left sort out Tristan Wirfs and Professional Bowl large receiver Chris Godwin on the lively/bodily unable to carry out listing Tuesday.
Wirfs was held out of obligatory minicamp in June and stood on the sidelines sporting a heavy brace on his proper knee. On the time, coach Todd Bowles indicated he was being held out for “precautionary” causes. However he wound up present process arthroscopic surgical procedure in July, which is when extra harm was detected. Early indications are that Wirfs will “probably” miss the beginning of the common season, sources instructed ESPN earlier this month.
Godwin suffered a dislocated left ankle in Week 7 this 12 months and underwent surgical procedure. On the time, in Oct. 2024, Godwin was instructed that as a “best-case state of affairs,” he might return for the playoffs in January, however that it was an “very best case.” Basic supervisor Jason Licht then stated again in April that the plan was for Godwin to return in Week 1 of the 2025 season. However Godwin was sidelined throughout OTAs and the group's three-day obligatory minicamp in June — not even practising with a member of the group's coaching workers off to the facet, which is often customary for injured gamers who do not apply.
A number of sources instructed ESPN that Godwin underwent one other minor knee process this spring to have it “cleaned out” however a supply stated it wasn't a shock and Godwin is “doing properly.”
By being positioned on the lively/PUP listing, each gamers are eligible to be activated for coaching camp or the preseason at any time as soon as medically cleared. They are going to be eligible to take part in group conferences, obtain medical therapy and work out on the facility, however they can not apply, per the NFL's collective bargaining settlement (CBA). Each gamers will depend in opposition to the group's 90-man coaching camp roster restrict.
The important thing will likely be remaining roster cutdowns. If both or each gamers are positioned on the reserve/PUP listing throughout the preseason or remaining cutdown interval, they will be required to overlook the primary 4 weeks of the common season. A participant can't be positioned on the PUP listing after they've practiced or performed in a preseason recreation and as a substitute, they'd go to injured reserve.
The Bucs have expressed nice confidence in rookie first-round draft choose Emeka Egbuka's means to understand new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard's system. He spent OTAs and obligatory minicamp not solely in Godwin's position, however studying all receiver positions.
“The factor that stands out is how cerebral he's,” quarterback Baker Mayfield stated of Egbuka final month. “He is so good. Proper now, I feel we might plug-and-play him at each [wide] receiver spot — he understands the offense that properly. That is simply him being a professional already. He isn't a rookie — he does not act prefer it at the least. It has been actually good to see him take that possession.”
As for Wirfs, the Bucs signed Charlie Heck this offseason as their backup swing sort out after Justin Skule departed in free company they usually're at the moment assessing their choices.
Along with Wirfs and Godwin, the Bucs positioned offensive sort out Silas Dzansi, offensive guard Sua Opeta and quarterback Michael Pratt on the lively/bodily unable to carry out listing. Additionally they positioned linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. on the lively/non-football harm listing and rookie nostril sort out Desmond Watson on the lively/non-football sickness listing.
The Bucs have their first official coaching camp apply Wednesday, July 23, and start their quest for a fifth consecutive division title at their season opener in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.
