The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealt a significant injury blow early in the first quarter of their NFL Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles when offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs limped off the field with an ankle injury. The second-year lineman, who had never missed a snap in his NFL career, was deemed questionable to return.
Tristan Wirfs devouring a linebacker pic.twitter.com/IAfW1uIQSO
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) January 16, 2022
It was a seismic loss for the Bucs, who were already playing without multiple starters, such as wideout Chris Godwin and running back Leonard Fournette. Losing Wirfs, who was named first-team All-Pro this week and has established himself among the best right tackles in the league, could have a huge impact in the playoffs if Tampa wins today.
Bucs losing Tristan Wirfs is similar to Packers losing David Bakhtiari last year. That could be a playoff-changing injury
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) January 16, 2022
However, a lot of people were shocked to see Wirfs back out on the sidelines late in the second quarter when the Bucs led 17-0. With things in hand for the time being and halftime coming up, it was a bit shocking to see Wirfs re-enter the game. Given how important he is to the team and how unnecessary it seemed to be in the moment for him to risk further injury, a lot of NFL folks watching from him had strong reactions to his return.
Tristan Wirfs back at RT for the Bucs. Pretty shocking he's back in the game tbh
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 16, 2022
Tristan Wirfs doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. Coaches gotta step in and get him out of this game.
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 16, 2022
They gotta get Tristan Wirfs out the game. Protect him from himself. Trust me I know.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 16, 2022
Love the willingness to play hurt from Tristan Wirfs, but the Bucs need to be smart with him. Too important to their hopes.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 16, 2022
Wirfs returning to the game despite being injured recalled a lot of what people had heard about Antonio Brown and his reasons for leaving the Bucs. Brown claimed that he was forced to play despite saying he was injured and that head coach Bruce Arians didn’t care, a claim that Arians has denied.
Antonio Brown watching the Bucs put Tristan Wirfs back in pic.twitter.com/9ep7jO2I6s
— G Love (@TokenBK1) January 16, 2022
The Bucs sending Tristan Wirfs back out when he’s clearly too hurt to play?
Maybe Antonio Brown was on to something…
— Jeff Pratt (@ByJeffPratt) January 16, 2022
We’ll see if Wirfs plays significant minutes in the second half. If things hold for the Bucs, they won’t really need him out there. But there’s certainly going to be some questions for Arians after the game given the accusations levied against him regarding playing an injured player in the past.
UPDATE: Bruce Arians has said that Wirfs will not play the rest of the game.
Bruce Arians told @erinandrews Tristan Wirfs is ruled out for the rest of the game
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 16, 2022
[NFL.com]
