On the heels of some encouraging news regarding the return of wide receiver Chris Godwin, there is also some great news about All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. The four-time Pro Bowler was seen without crutches during the pregame warm-ups of Saturday night's Bucs vs. Bills game.

Pewter Report photographer Cliff Welch captured some video of Wirfs walking around without a limp and signing autographs for fans before kickoff. Wirfs has been on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list since the start of training camp after having minor knee surgery in early July for an MCL sprain that never fully healed during the offseason.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs Will Start The Season On The 53-Man Roster

The team announced this week that both left tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin, who also has been on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list all summer, will be on the 53-man roster and not start the season on active PUP. While Godwin isn't expected to practice until Week 2 and will likely not return to game action until October as he continues to recover from ankle surgery, Wirfs will return sooner.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The team has not ruled out a return by the season opener at Atlanta, but more realistically, Wirfs could suit up by the home opener against the New York Jets in Week 3. If Tampa Bay loses in Week 1 to the Falcons, would the Bucs try to rush Wirfs back for the Monday Night Football game at Houston in Week 2?

That would likely depend on how reserve tackle Charlie Heck, who is filling in for Wirfs, plays versus the Falcons. The Texans have a pair of double-digit sackers in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. and keeping Baker Mayfield upright and healthy is of paramount concern. Wirfs has two weeks to continue to rehab his knee before the start of the season.

We'll see how fast his recovery will be as the start of the 2025 regular season draws near. Stay tuned.