Bucs center Robert Hainsey injured a hamstring in the 30-17 loss to the Falcons in Atlanta in Week 18 and played just 13 snaps before leaving the game. Tampa Bay moved left guard Nick Leverett over to center to fill in for the rest of the game, but what is Hainsey’s availability for the Bucs’ playoff game against the Cowboys?
Pewter Report has learned that Hainsey’s hamstring injury isn’t severe, and that the team is hopeful he can start against Dallas in the Wild Card round of the playoffs at Raymond James Stadium. The fact that the game is Monday night instead of Saturday or Sunday increases the chances that Hainsey could be ready to go. Hainsey has started every game at center this season as a second-year player.
Hainsey’s hamstring injury is considered to be a tweak as opposed to a serious strain, which helps his cause – and the Bucs’. Hainsey’s departure forced Tampa Bay to insert John Molchon in at left guard to replace Leverett in Atlanta. Molchon, who has been in Tampa Bay for the past three years, mostly on the practice squad, saw his first NFL regular season action in Sunday’s loss.
The Bucs had rookie Luke Goedeke start at right tackle for Tristan Wirfs, who sat out of the game with an ankle sprain he’s been playing on for the past two weeks. Tampa Bay was already without left tackle Donovan Smith, who was inactive with a foot injury. Brandon Walton got the start at left tackle for Smith.
If Hainsey can make a successful return for the Bucs vs. Cowboys playoff game then its starting offensive line would remain intact. Smith and Wirfs are both expected to start against Dallas, and Leverett would move back to left guard with Shaq Mason at right guard.
Update On Bucs C Jensen
The Bucs offensive line might be able to get a boost from injured starter Ryan Jensen, who began practicing with the team on December 28. The Pro Bowl center has been injured since the second day of training camp when he hurt his right knee. He was placed on injured reserve in September and missed the 2022 regular season.
Jensen has eight days left in the 21-day practice window to either be added to the active roster or remain on injured reserve for the rest of the 2022 postseason.
It is uncertain if Jensen has made enough progress to warrant being activated from I.R., and if he’s healthy enough to dress – even as an emergency backup lineman for Tampa Bay’s playoff game against Dallas.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is expected to address the media about Hainsey’s injury and Jensen’s potential availability at noon on Monday.
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