If the Carolina Panthers want to pull off a shocker and win their first division title in a decade, then they’ll have to go through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And that task may be a bit easier, at least for a few other teams in the early stages of the 2025 campaign.
As first reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times this morning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs underwent knee surgery on Tuesday. Per Stroud, Wirfs is likely to miss “at least the first couple of games of the regular season” and could be placed on the physically unable to perform list.
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The 26-year-old has been a pillar in the trenches for the Bucs, who will be looking to capture their fifth straight NFC South crown. Wirfs, the 13th overall pick from the 2020 draft, has earned two first-team All-Pro nods and four Pro Bowl selections over his five NFL seasons.
His expected absence probably won’t overlap into Carolina’s 2025 matchups against Tampa Bay. The Panthers are scheduled to play the Buccaneers at home in Week 16 and then on the road in Week 18.
Stroud also noted that Charlie Heck, whom the Bucs signed as a free agent this offseason, is likely to take over on the blindside in Wirfs’ stead. Heck, a sixth-year veteran, started in two games at left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFC South news: Panthers’ divisional rival suffers huge loss