Bucs Gameday

Bucs Center Robert Hainsey Injured in Meaningless Week 18 Game

Most felt good about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing their starters this weekend. But that decision may have cost the team.

David Harrison

In this story:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles decided to roll the dice in Week 18 with nothing to gain in regard to playoff positioning. 

The Bucs also have nothing to lose this weekend, making a win or loss against the Atlanta Falcons all but meaningless. 

Unless, of course, a key member of Tampa Bay's roster were to go down to injury. 

This is exactly what happened when it was revealed that center Robert Hainsey suffered a hamstring injury on the team's first offensive drive of the game and would be held out for the remainder of the Bucs' Week 18 contest. 

READ MORE: LIVE Updates from Bucs vs. Falcons

It's exactly the kind of injury that could have many second-guessing coach Bowles if Hainsey's injury proves significant enough to hold him out of next week's Wild Card playoff game. 

Considering how Tampa Bay's offense has struggled so far this regular season, losing any additional players could threaten to derail the unit altogether. 

Hainsey has been playing all season in place of starting center Ryan Jensen who was injured on the first day of training camp, seemingly sending the Buccaneers into an offensive tailspin of sorts they've yet to pull out of yet. 

READ MORE: Rookies Showing Out on Special Teams

The loss of Jensen, combined with the retirement of left guard Ali Marpet, has significantly degraded the effectiveness of quarterback Tom Brady's offensive line. 

And now, with an injury suffered by Hainsey, it could get worse before it gets better. 

Here's hoping he's being held out as a precaution, and it's a slight issue, not an injury. 

Stay tuned to BucsGameday as we're sure to learn more following today's game.

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

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

Published
David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.