Bucs C Jensen Returns, Expected To Start

With Jensen manning the middle, what the trickle-down effect looks like remains to be seen. Robert Hainsey, who has started at center for all 17 games in Jensen’s absence, is dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable. He also has had zero snaps at left guard after playing center all season.

Who Plays LG For The Bucs?

The current starter at left guard, Nick Leverett, is listed as doubtful, dealing with shoulder and knee injuries. Options for replacing Leverett at left guard include rookie Luke Goedeke, who started there from Weeks 1-7, Brandon Walton, John Molchon, or even Hainsey with Jensen taking over at center.

The Bucs would ideally like Leverett to hold down the left guard spot if he’s healthy, but the team could go with Goedeke, who played right tackle in Week 18 and has played sparingly as an extra jumbo tight end in certain situations over the second half of the season. If it is Goedeke it must mean that the Bucs coaching staff has a tremendous amount of confidence in him behind the scenes.

Goedeke struggled – mightily at times – during his stint as a starter, although he played reasonably well in Week 1 against Dallas defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The team’s second-round pick told Pewter Report that he’s feeling more confident at the end of the season than at any point in his rookie season, and that having the pressure of starting off his back has done wonders for his confidence. Goedeke told Pewter Report that seeing the game from the sideline during the second half of the season was beneficial to his growth and development.