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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently gearing up for their NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, but they just received some devastating injury news that will have LA’s star-powered defensive line licking its chops.

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay’s All-Pro right tackle and Tom Brady‘s best protector, was just ruled out for the game due to his lingering ankle injury. With Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and Leonard Floyd on the other side of the line, it could be a long and painful day for Brady if he doesn’t get the ball out quickly.

Tristan Wirfs suffered an ankle injury against the Eagles

Tom Brady was just dealt a brutal injury blow.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady rolls out behind RT Tristan Wirfs during a game against the New England Patriots | Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Buccaneers didn’t have much trouble with the Philadelphia Eagles on Super Wild Card Weekend, but they did lose both Wirfs and center Ryan Jensen to injuries throughout the game.

Wirfs injured his ankle in the first quarter and needed help just to walk off the field. He went back to the locker room for a bit before returning in the second quarter. But he didn’t last long back at right tackle, as the Pro Bowler got trucked by 33-year-old Ryan Kerrigan before leaving the game for a second and final time.

Both Wirfs and Jensen got back on the practice field on Friday after missing the entire week, but Wirfs’ injured ankle apparently isn’t ready for game action quite yet.

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers receive devastating injury news about their star RT

Brady needs Wirfs on the field this week to slow down the Rams’ pass rush and keep him on his feet all day. The second-year tackle has been doing just that all season long, and he’s a major reason why the Buccaneers cruised to a Super Bowl victory in 2021.

But Wirfs won’t be out there to protect Brady on Sunday.

Just a few hours before kickoff, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported in a tweet that Wirfs will be inactive for the Bucs’ NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Rams.

It’s a brutal injury blow for Tampa Bay’s offense, but LA will also be without star tackle Andrew Whitworth in the game due to a knee injury. Both quarterbacks could be running for their lives in this one.

How will the Buccaneers replace Wirfs?

Backup tackle Josh Wells filled in for Wirfs against the Eagles last week, and the seven-year veteran is expected to start against the Rams on Sunday for the first time in his postseason career. It’s one thing to play well against Philadelphia’s mediocre pass rush, but this will be a completely different test against Donald and Miller.

Expect the Rams to target Wells early and often with stunts and blitzes to make him feel uncomfortable. We all know the way to beat Brady is to apply pressure quickly and not let him get into a rhythm, and that’s exactly what the Rams will be able to do with Wirfs out of the lineup.

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Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.