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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began Sunday still without left tackle Tristan Wirfs, and late in the first half another interior lineman went down. Left guard Ben Bredeson left after a knee incident and is now listed as questionable, creating fresh uncertainty for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs as they battle the New Orleans Saints.
What happened on the play and immediate reaction
Bredeson was rolled up on during a play and needed attention from trainers. He managed to walk off the field under his own power. Team reporters say the training staff will evaluate his knee further before the club issues a final status.
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- Reporter source: Jenna Laine reported the injury and the questionable tag.
- In-game replacement: Michael Jordan entered at left guard after Bredeson exited.
- Visible sign: Walking off the turf offered a hopeful sign to coaches and fans.
Bredeson’s role and season context
Entering the contest, Bredeson was in his second season with Tampa Bay. He has started 10 games this year and was a full-time starter across 2024, opening all 17 games.
Analytics give a mixed picture of his play. Pro Football Focus assigns him a 53.4 overall grade, placing him toward the lower half of qualified guards. Yet he stands out in run blocking, where a 76.1 run grade ranks him among the league’s better run-game pushers.
How this affects pass protection for Baker Mayfield
With both Tristan Wirfs and Ben Bredeson unavailable, the Bucs face a tougher task keeping Mayfield clean. Interior protection is vital for pocket time and quick reads.
- The Buccaneers did not surrender a sack in the first half.
- Only 11 teams had allowed fewer sacks than Tampa Bay before this game.
- Still, losing two starters makes blocking continuity harder to maintain.
Depth and lineup adjustments to watch
Coaching staffers will shuffle the line if Bredeson cannot return. Michael Jordan already stepped in during the game. The depth chart includes other rotation options for short- and long-term plans.
- Immediate replacement during the game: Michael Jordan.
- Potential cross-shifts or sliding the right-side tackle left if needed.
- Longer-term roster moves could appear if the knee requires more care.
Playoff implications and injury outlook
The Buccaneers sit at 8-5 and a win over New Orleans would strengthen their postseason position. To sustain that push, health along the offensive line is essential.
Coaches and medical staff will monitor Bredeson closely. The fact he walked off provides optimism, but the team will wait for imaging and a full evaluation before making decisions.
