TAMPA, Fla. — Further tests confirmed that Buccaneers All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs suffered a sprained MCL in the first half of Tampa Bay’s 23-20 loss to the 49ers on Sunday, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday.
The team captain and three-time Pro Bowl selection will miss some time, but it’s a best-case scenario for the Buccaneers.
One source told ESPN that Wirfs would “probably” be sidelined “a few weeks.”
Wirfs suffered the injury on a third-and-7 play with 5:06 to go in the second quarter. He was lining up against Nick Bosa while pass blocking when the injury occurred.
He was replaced by former 49ers offensive tackle Justin Skule, who played for San Francisco from 2019 to 2021. Skule started four games this season at right tackle when Luke Goedeke was sidelined with a concussion.
Rookie outside linebacker Chris Braswell also left the game with an oblique injury.
The Buccaneers are already without Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin, who previously suffered a dislocated left ankle and is out for the season. Wide receiver Mike Evans has been out for three games with a hamstring strain, but the hope is he can return after the Buccaneers’ Week 11 bye.
Sunday’s loss, the Buccaneers’ fourth straight, dropped Tampa Bay to 4-6.