There is no room for error for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The only way the Buccaneers to make the playoffs is to win the NFC South. On Christmas, the Green Bay Packers clinched the last NFC wild Card spot after the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Buccaneers are left in a dogfight with the Carolina Panthers for the last playoff berth in the conference.

The only way the Buccaneers can win the division is by winning their last two games. They have a head-to-head matchup against the Panthers next week. But on Sunday, the Buccaneers take on the Miami Dolphins, who will start third-string rookie Quinn Ewers once again. This is a must-win game, and Buccaneers fans found out that one of their best players won’t be active.

On Friday, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles announced that offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs has officially been ruled out for the team’s game against the Dolphins due to a toe injury. With Wirfs out, the Buccaneers will turn to Ben Chukwuma as their starting left tackle.

Todd Bowles says that Tristan Wirfs, Anthony Nelson and Calijah Kancey are OUT. Ben Chukwuma will start at left tackle. pic.twitter.com/OCaI89oQQ0

— River Wells (@riverhwells) December 26, 2025Tristan Wirfs ruled out of must-win game for Buccaneers

The Buccaneers need all of their best players on the field to confidently feel they have a chance to force a win-or-go-home game in the season finale against the rival Panthers. Now, they are down their best blocker on the offensive line, which could spell trouble for starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Wirfs suffered the toe injury during last week’s game against the Panthers. He did not participate in any of the team’s practices this week, including on Friday. Because of this, Wirfs has now been ruled out of Sunday’s game, making it the fifth time he has missed a game this season due to injury.

Chukwuma was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia State by the Buccaneers. The rookie had significant snaps in one game this season, which arrived in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints. In 40 pass blocking snap, Chukwuma allowed two pressures and two quarterback hurries while receiving one penalty, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Chukwuma gets his next big chance on Sunday, where he will play an important role in the offense’s success as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Tampa Bay’s playoff chances already looked dire. Now, they just took a significant hit with Wirfs officially out.