Who Starts At Center? Find Out Monday Night
January 14th, 2023
Starting center unknown.
The Bucs and many who cover the team are trying to tout how the roster is so healthy. A couple of days ago Joe quit buying into this theme.
Yes, the Bucs are relatively healthy at the right time, the beginning of the playoffs. But there’s one major exception and that would be at center.
The Bucs’ top-three centers are all banged up. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen blew out his knee on the second day of training camp in July. He has been practicing the past couple of weeks and is eligible to be activated. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
Robert Hainsey, who started all 17 games this season, suffered a hamstring injury last week at Atlanta and has been limited in practice. Hamstrings don’t normally heal in a week.
Then there is Hainsey’s backup and starting left guard Nick Leverett. He also was limited in practice this week with a knee and shoulder injury. Bucs coach Todd Bowles said this week that Leverett has a “sore leg.” So his status is also unknown.
Bowles said today after practice, per Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com, that a determination who starts at center likely will not be made until Monday.
Having to start two backups (if Leverett plays center and a reserve lineman fills in for him at left guard) is not ideal when Micah Parsons is smelling blood.
Bowles did say, on a positive note, that no one has been ruled out for Monday night.
January 14th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Where are these players learning how to stretch? How does a center.pull a hammy?
January 14th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Hamstring is the most common reoccurring injury for us, I really think we need an overhaul with our physical training/rehab staff
January 14th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Hainsey is fine. He wanted back in the Atlanta game. With that said I’d love to see Jensen if he’s a full go.
January 14th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Every f*#ing team in the NFL deals with hamstring injuries.
January 14th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Bowzo Blunder for all to see. That game was billed as the Bucs clobbering Atlanta with the 1st string as a tune up……NOT!
January 14th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
@ Maxx
Man you said it…
@ Kentucky
Sign me up for that to please!
January 14th, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Play to lose at any cost. Bowels motto.
January 14th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Nefan I think you actually like having arguments with everyone on here..you always have something negative to say.
January 14th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
I think it’s true but also smoke for Dallas wondering who is going to start, as long as they don’t know as well.
January 14th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
I’m guessing Hainsey will start at center with Jensen at left guard. If Jensen can’t go then Leverett will play guard. If either struggle they may switch or Leverett may come in. IMO! Let’s hope we have seen the last of the line injuries!!
January 14th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
With all the soft tissue injuries, I sometimes wonder about their conditioning. The literature is pretty clear. Stretching is a myth. If you’re in great shape, it really doesn’t matter. Before all you former pro athletes get your underoos in a bunch, I played in highschool and Jr. Collage, as a walk on. I noticed guys that were in great shape, seemed to hardly ever get hurt. Guys that weren’t, usually pulled a muscle.
January 14th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Protect Tom Brady!
TEAM no risk it no biscuit
January 14th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
I have a re-occurring hamstring injury. It usually happens from getting off the couch too quickly, to get another beer.
January 14th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Hate you !
January 14th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
As long as Brady has some time to throw, and ain’t worried about getting hammered. The Buce odds increase significantly.
He’s looked uncharacteristically nervous at times, this year.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
I dunno why after Jensen got hurt…..why didn’t our team’s GM didn’t go out look for the best available Center via trade or free agent?????
January 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
When I played in college we had specific stretching exercises the training staff made us do. Some differed by position group. I played in a pretty aggressive men’s flag football league after college. We’d play on Sunday sore until Thursday. Pulled a hammy had to sit out the entire season. Those suck.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Rule out Bowles and Leftwich and we have a shot!
January 14th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
According some fans bucs are the only team having to deal with injuries at this time of year everyone is dealing with something it’s the nature of football. Playing collage ball just about every starter on our team had some nagging injury at the end of the season.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Very hard for me to believe that if Jensen suits up….he doesn’t play…..where he plays is another matter…..My guess would be center…..
January 14th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
It’s a state-secret who will play center on Monday. Thanks for giving us hope and optimism, Coach.
In the words of Johnny Dangerously, “That fargin’ icehole bastage!” LOL.
GO BUCS!!!
January 14th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
Hainsey will go and start at Center I’m pretty sure. Would like to see Jensen at LG, that would be fun!
January 14th, 2023 at 2:36 pm
@99, that hurts, not trying to pick a fight with anyone, just calling like I see them.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
This is the playoffs, shoot ‘Em up with the right drugs and pain meds. Better football through chemistry.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
And on that note, maybe slip Toad Blowes a speedball, and feed Leftwurst a psilocybin smoothie about 90 minutes before game time.
Can’t be any worse.
January 14th, 2023 at 2:58 pm
I don’t care whether under center or guard, we absolutely need the energy that Jensen brings.
January 14th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
@NEfan- I’m with you, man. Bowels is a liability in the HC role. It is very clear as to what makes him such a liability. He consistently makes poor decisions. He takes NO responsibility for any failure. It is always someone else’s fault. And when one is in denial about their mistakes and failures, they do not make needed corrections.
There is nothing more disappointing to a fan than to have their favorite team lead the league in under achieving. Let’s be honest here. Which fans ended this season more? Bucs fans or Jaguar fans?
We’ve seen enough. It is time for Bowels to mercifully move.
January 14th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Sorry for the typo. Should have been enjoyed the season, not ended the season.
January 14th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Of course, the training staff is a train wreck par for the course
January 14th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Who cares
January 14th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Who wouldn’t love to see Leftwrong all tripped out on shrooms? That would be an interesting presser.
January 14th, 2023 at 9:38 pm
Cowturds are preparing for Jensen Monday night at least that what big Ole Mikey said in his press conference.
January 14th, 2023 at 10:03 pm
i want jensen out there – to change the f’in demeanor
January 14th, 2023 at 10:05 pm
you activate jensen right f’in now !! 🙂
January 15th, 2023 at 1:02 am
Max Says:
January 14th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Hamstring is the most common reoccurring injury for us, I really think we need an overhaul with our physical training/rehab staff
_____________________________
You guys realize we’ve been saying this same exact thing for like 10 – 12 years now at least, right?
I dunno WTF is wrong with the Bucs org and their hammies.
January 15th, 2023 at 4:55 am
Well there you have it from an expert who has played football at the highest levels yet a few posts asked “How can one pull a hamstring”. Gotta love those confused Pats fans who don’t have a relevant team to root for.
NEfan Says:
January 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
When I played in college we had specific stretching exercises the training staff made us do. Some differed by position group. I played in a pretty aggressive men’s flag football league after college. We’d play on Sunday sore until Thursday. Pulled a hammy had to sit out the entire season. Those suck.
January 15th, 2023 at 1:26 pm
C2@ and I thought you had A.D.D, nice to know you’re paying attention