Buccaneers' Pro Bowler Potentially Unavailable for Start of Season

Concern is beginning to set in regarding the status of Buccaneers' center, Ryan Jensen, as the start of the regular season draws closer.

Maybe it's time to address the elephant in the room.

Ryan Jensen's comeback from a devastating knee injury suffered on the second day of training camp last year was miraculous.

The feat became that much more impressive once Jensen revealed the extent of his injury.

“It was a pretty severe injury. A lot of people I know were confused why I didn’t have surgery. I ended up tearing my MCL, my ACL, my PCL, I flipped my meniscus, I had a fracture and I had another little bone chip thing. It was a major injury."

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“I was as fortunate as I could be with the way injury happened where I didn’t have to have surgery and it was able to heal on its own. Yeah, five months and trying to come back off of that, it was – some call it dumb, but I’m a football player and football players play football.”

The fact that Jensen chose to suit up for the Bucs playoff game vs. the Dallas Cowboys was the ultimate demonstration of just how gritty and determined he is. That said, his grit and determination are just a couple of the traits that have made him one of the undisputed leaders in Tampa Bay's locker room since he joined the team back in 2018.  

But what are the repercussions of Jensen playing in that game? 

Because Jensen returned at the end of last season, it was assumed by almost everyone that Jensen would be ready to go — if not at full health — for the start of 2023. 

Back to the elephant in the room.

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Jensen has been held out of the majority of practices during the Buccaneers' training camp, while only participating in a very limited selection of drills. Now, halfway through August, with one of three preseason games already in the books, and Jensen yet to participate in any form of 11 on 11 football, doubts are beginning to creep in regarding his status for the start of this season.

Everyone has been thinking about it... but very few have vocalized this concern head on. That was until Scott Reynolds, of Pewter Report, and Rick Stroud, of the Tampa Times, decided to address the elephant in the room. 

At this point, it’s clear the Bucs are going into the season not planning on having C Ryan Jensen, who has still not practiced.

“When we go into the season, I don’t think we’re going to have anybody if they haven’t practiced,” coach Todd Bowles said. “You always prepare if…

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 14, 2023

On the social media network formerly known as Twitter, Stroud stated, "It's clear the Bucs are going into the season not planning on having C Ryan Jensen, who has still not practiced." 

In an article for Pewter Report, Reynolds commented "The story no one is talking about in Bucs camp is what type of player Jensen will be upon his eventual return."

Reynolds also included a recent quote from head coach, Todd Bowles, who when asked about Jensen's lack of participation in practice, did not inspire much confidence. 

"That’s a good question,” Bowles said. “I don’t know, honestly. I just go by what the doctors and trainers tell me and go by how he is feeling and [his] progress. Some days are good, some days are not as good. I will just wait for the answer and kind of go from there.”

It appears as though both of these beat reporters' comments aren't necessarily part of a report, but more of a logical 'connection of the dots' type of situation. 

With so much doubt being cast on Jensen's availability to start the 2023 season, it's natural for many people to ask the question "So why did Ryan Jensen return to play last year?" 

Jensen has gone on record in stating how much it meant for him to suit up with Tom Brady in what could have been (and ended up being) his final game in the NFL. Having opted to bypass surgery for a more natural recovery, Jensen's competitive nature surely played a large role in his decision to play that game. 

Ultimately, the reasons why Jensen played that game are the same reasons why he's such a fan favorite in Tampa Bay. Determination. Grit. Competitiveness. All that good stuff. 

The bigger question — in hindsight — should be, "Why did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' medical staff clear Jensen to return so early?" 

Thankfully, if the unfortunate scenario presents itself where Jensen is unavailable to start the regular season, the Buccaneers have a very competent backup center in Robert Hainsey, who started all of last season (after switching positions) and was steady and productive in the role. I have little doubt that Hainsey could come in and provide at least league-average play at the position. 

But Robert Hainsey isn't Ryan Jensen. And many questions regarding Jensen's status remain unanswered.

When will Ryan Jensen return? What version of Ryan Jensen will we see when he does return? 

One thing is for sure though. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to find success on the field in 2023, they're going to need Ryan Jensen to be Ryan Jensen.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.

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