TAMPA, Fla. — Coach Todd Bowles has announced that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs will not participate in Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins due to a toe injury. Although Wirfs managed to complete last week’s game against the Carolina Panthers, he has been unable to take part in practice sessions this week.
«[Benjamin Chukwuma] will step in as the left tackle for this game,» Bowles stated on Friday. «We were pleased with his previous performance, and this is a good opportunity for him to develop further.»
Chukwuma only logged one snap last week at the Panthers, serving as an extra lineman during a goal-line situation, but he has accumulated 79 offensive snaps this season and started against the New Orleans Saints, where he allowed merely one pressure and no sacks. Wirfs was unavailable for that game due to an oblique issue, additionally missing the first three weeks of the season following offseason knee surgery.
The Buccaneers will also lack outside linebacker Anthony Nelson, who suffered a knee injury last week against the Panthers, as well as defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who has just begun his 21-day practice window after dealing with a torn pectoral muscle sustained in Week 2.
With Nelson sidelined, outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to shoulder a heavier workload in what has turned into a crucial win situation. A loss in either of the next two games will eliminate the Bucs from playoff contention for the first time since 2019.
