The Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting center since 2018, Ryan Jensen set a physical tone with a reputation for revealing unquestionable toughness with Tom Brady. After Brady walked away, the Bucs’ organization made an immediate effort to keep the veteran by agreeing to a three-year, $39 million contract.
However, following a season-ending injury of breaking the ACL, MCL, and PCL, the Pro Bowl center is again subjected to a season-ending injury which lets his team make a final decision regarding him.
Ryan Jensen’s injury update
The Bucs’ general manager Jason Licht announced on Saturday night that they put Ryan Jensen on season-ending injured reserve following complications regarding his knee injury a year ago. Licht outlined that it was their decision based on a couple of weeks’ decision after meeting with the player and witnessing his health conditions closely.
“We’re gonna be putting him on IR. He’s gonna be done for the year. The selflessness, the toughness, the leadership he has — we talked a couple weeks ago about this. It was an emotional moment for me, for [coach] Todd [Bowles] when we met with him, I know for everybody involved. But it’s for the best for him.”
Awful news for the #Bucs, Starting Center Ryan Jensen is Out for the rest of the season, was placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/6VrVgIn5wq
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 27, 2023
Ryan passed his medical exam this summer, but the Buccaneers only let him take part in a small number of training camp workouts. The team’s management was very cautious about his injury and kept him out of their exhibition game. The Buccaneers now view second-year center Robert Hainsey as his backup after moving him out of the lineup.
Ryan Jensen shares emotional message after sustaining injury
The 32-year-old worked hard to regain his previous form but the injury has arisen as a potential career-ender for him. Following the team decision the player promptly expressed his grief and sorrow over his season-ending injury.
The vet who was crucial to the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl victory in 2020, revealed his desire to continue his career with them. He put in more effort during the off-season, but he acknowledged without blaming his staff that his recuperation had not advanced at the rate required to play this season.
A very emotional Ryan Jensen talks to the media following tonight’s announcement that he will be placed on the IR #GoBucs@953WDAE pic.twitter.com/9KJAYaQOQC
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) August 27, 2023
“It breaks my heart,” Jensen said. “There’s nothing more that I wanna do than be a part of this team. This organization has changed my life. Unfortunately, my knee wasn’t progressing in an upward, positive way. I fought my butt off. I put more work in this offseason than probably my entire career. It just wasn’t responding how it needed to respond for me to go out there and play at a high level.”
Although it was anticipated that the team would give Ryan Jensen a chance in the regular season after sitting him out of the preseason games, their announcement has probably ended his career with the Bucs. What’s your take on this? Make sure to let us know in the comments.
