While the Bucs’ offensive line has dealt with an unfortunate trio of injuries, help appears to be on the way in the form of the position group’s best player. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs has yet to play this season following an offseason knee surgery, which is just one of the injuries that have forced Tampa Bay to elevate practice squad offensive linemen and play incumbent starters out of position.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blindside protector is lining up to make an appearance in Week 4 against the Eagles — should the team’s latest depth chart be believed. What would only help is the return of wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr., who also appears to be in play for Sunday.
Bucs List Tristan Wirfs As Starting LT In Week 4
If it were completely outside the realm of possibility that Tristan Wirfs would not play on Sunday, he would not be listed as the Bucs’ starting left tackle on the Week 4 depth chart. The fact that Wirfs is points to it being likely that he will be out there, with Tampa Bay needing all the help it can get playing the Eagles. That would allow for the offensive line to look a bit more normal, as Ben Bredeson can slide back over to left guard and Graham Barton can man the center spot once again.
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today
In doing so, three of the five starters upfront would be in their normal places, with only the right side being the looming question mark. After Elijah Klein played left guard in Week 3 against the Jets, the depth chart has him listed as the starting right guard, with newcomer Dan Feeney behind him. It appears that Charlie Heck has right tackle locked up until Luke Goedeke’s return, as Heck is the only one listed at the position.
Going back to Wirfs, his return really could not come at a better time. The Eagles have an embarrassment of riches in their front seven on defense, most notably with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis plugging up the middle, Nolan Smith and Za’Darius Smith as outside pass rushers, and Zach Baun and Jihaad Campbell already forming one of the best inside linebacker duos in the league in the season’s early going.
That is a lot of talent for any offense to contain, so getting back the All-Pro left tackle can help shore up the trenches and give Baker Mayfield time to throw and provide a spark to a run game that struggled to get anything going last week.
What About Chris Godwin Jr.?
Outside of just Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin Jr. is also listed as a starting wide receiver on the Bucs’ depth chart. Mike Evans remained on the top of the wide receiver room, but the chart was also released within the hour after reports came out that M1K3 would be missing multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. With the wide receiver room having been without Godwin and Jalen McMillan, what was arguably the deepest room on the team now is filled with serious question marks entering a critical part of the schedule.
Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
It goes without saying how important Godwin is to the offense, and although rookie Emeka Egbuka is on hand and will be healthier than last week, another wideout is sorely needed. The only other option who can be regularly counted on to make plays is veteran Sterling Shepard, who had four catches for 80 yards during the last game.
While the team won’t go out of its way to expedite “CG’s” return into the fold, it could also not work out better from a timing perspective. Taking into account Godwin’s injury timeline and the fact that he, like Wirfs, has practiced for a couple weeks, it appears to be a strong possibility he can play on Sunday. Even in a reduced role getting back into the swing of things, it would be a nice boost having someone who can help the offense move the chains.
There will be more concrete answers later on this week but expect one of the Bucs’ offensive stars to return in Week 4, if not both.