Bucs face a crisis as LT Tristan Wirfs is set for the PUP list. As the offense worries, the defense led by Chris Braswell dominates July 2025 camp.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when the training camp narrative was starting to take shape, a bombshell dropped on the AdventHealth Training Center. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is now expected to begin the 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list following a recent medical procedure. The news sends a shockwave through the offensive line, immediately raising questions about who will protect the quarterback's blindside and how the team will navigate the early part of the schedule without its best player.
In one dizzying three-play sequence, Todd Bowles' blitz packages generated would-be sacks by Chris Braswell, Nick Jackson, and Antoine Winfield Jr.
The news on Tristan Wirfs is a significant blow. While details of the procedure are scarce, landing on the regular-season PUP list would sideline him for at least the first four games of the season. This development thrusts the offensive line depth chart into the spotlight. The one-on-one battles between players like Yaya Diaby and Charlie Heck suddenly take on greater meaning as the team scrambles to find a reliable solution at one of football's most critical positions. Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the team is evaluating all options, but there's no easy way to replace a player of Wirfs' caliber.
While the offense reeled from the Wirfs update, the defense was busy asserting its dominance. Second-year OLB Chris Braswell is quickly becoming the star of camp, consistently living in the backfield. He recorded multiple would-be sacks on Thursday, continuing a torrid start that has coaches and fans buzzing. The pressure wasn't just coming from him; Bowles' aggressive blitz packages were on full display. In one particularly disruptive stretch against Kyle Trask's unit, the defense logged 'sacks' on three consecutive plays, showcasing the unit's speed and versatility.
The injury bug is starting to bite. Veteran leader Lavonte David is day-to-day with leg soreness, though the team isn't overly concerned. More worrisome are the hamstring injuries sidelining WR Trey Palmer and TE Cade Otton, both key weapons for the passing game. With LB Anthony Walker also remaining week-to-week, the Bucs moved to bolster their depth by signing WR Jaden Smith and RB Owen Wright. These moves highlight the 'next man up' reality of camp and the front office's proactive approach to managing the roster.
It's not all doom and gloom on the roster front. A major bright spot has been the emergence of rookie cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parish. Despite Morrison returning from a previous injury, both have been playmakers, challenging a veteran group that includes Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean. Their strong play creates a fantastic problem for the coaching staff: how to get all this talent on the field. It speaks to a successful draft class and gives the defense another layer of depth and versatility, especially as they experiment with a 'smorgasbord' of options in the slot.
Thursday was a whirlwind of highs and lows. The Wirfs situation will dominate headlines and strategic planning for weeks to come, but the ferocious performance of the defense, led by emerging star Chris Braswell, provides a powerful counter-narrative. As the team manages a growing injury list and integrates new faces, the focus shifts to resilience. Can the offensive line hold the fort? Will the defense become the undisputed strength of this team? The answers will define the Buccaneers' path as they inch closer to the preseason.
