The Buccaneers are without left tackle Tristan Wirfs to begin the season. It has long been known their All-Pro blindside protector will miss time in September, with veteran Charlie Heck viewed as the top option to replace him on a temporary basis. 
For at least Week 1, however, that is not the case. General manager Jason Licht revealed shortly before Sunday’s game (via team reporter Scott Smith) that Heck would not be used as a starter. Instead, center Graham Barton was shifted to left tackle for Sunday’s contest. Ben Bredeson moved from guard to center as a result, with Michael Jordan taking on guard duties.
Barton primarily played as a left tackle in college, but the Duke product was viewed as an interior blocker upon entering the NFL. Indeed, Barton handled center responsibilities during his rookie season, finding immediate success in that role. The 2024 first-rounder will no doubt return to the middle of the O-line when Wirfs recovers from meniscus surgery.
That could take place at some point in September, although there is no firm timeline in place. If Barton manages to provide Tampa Bay with adequate play on the blindside, he could help stabilize the offensive line until Wirfs is back in the fold. The play of that unit will depend as well on Bredeson successfully moving to center. The sixth-year veteran has spent the majority of his career as a guard, including exclusively working there with Tampa Bay last season. Bredeson has spent limited time at center in the NFL, though.
Jordan, meanwhile, was among the Buccaneers’ roster cuts but was quickly retained on their practice squad after clearing waivers. The 27-year-old was elevated to the gameday roster for Week 1, and he will serve not as depth up front but rather as a starting presence. Based on how the first few games play out, Jordan could find himself on the active roster by the time Wirfs is healthy and Tampa Bay’s preferred offensive line setup comes into focus.
