Lost in the news that Geno Hayes had shoulder surgery and likely won’t be able to participate in offseason workouts was the surgery that Bucs defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson had.

The Bucs starting left defensive end had knee surgery to fix the knee he tore up against the Saints in December, so reports Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

Wilkerson, who is likely headed for free agency next month, had surgery …Sitting out the voluntary offseason workout program, which begins in March and runs through the start of the last minicamp, is usually a precautionary measure, and both players are expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Wilkerson had 66 tackles and forced three fumbles last season. As thin as the Bucs defensive line is — is Kyle Moore still on a milk carton? — Joe knows that Wilkerson needs to be healthy for the Bucs to have a prayer this coming season.