Training camp has only just started by Ryan Jensen and the Buccaneers are facing their first major hurdle of the new season with the pro bowl center set to miss at least the first two months of the season.
Jensen was injured on Thursday morning and he was carted off the field having been surrounded by his team mates. The anchor along the Bucs offensive line, Jensen has played at least 1,110 snaps each season since joining Tampa from Baltimore in 2018.
BUCS PLAN FOR RYAN JENSEN MISSING MONTHS
New Bucs coach Todd Bowles had this to say after Jensen’s injury:
“We don’t know the severity of it, per se, but I do know he’ll miss some significant time, up to a couple months. Whether he’ll be back later in the season, November or December, depends on what they find. But he won’t be available any time soon.”
There are a number of free-agents available should the Bucs decide to go that route, with JC Tretter being the leading candidate. However, as of now Tampa Bay are looking at filling the role internally with either Robert Hainsey or Nick Leverett the prime candidates.
“That’ll be a tough battle going in — both are very smart, both are very tough, so better to happen now than in the middle of the season so each guy can get some practice reps and prepare for it, and I think either one of them would be fine,” Bowles said.
Ideally the Bucs will be looking to have Ryan Jensen back to full health for the start of the playoffs.
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