Tampa Bay center Ryan Jensen faces uncertain NFL future in 2023 season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, who missed the 2022 regular season due to a severe knee injury, returned for his team’s playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. However, he won’t make a comeback in 2023 and might not return to the NFL.

Last Saturday, general manager Jason Licht revealed that Ryan Jensen would be placed on injured reserve for the season due to persistent knee issues. NFL Network’s report on the severity of Jensen’s injury raises doubts about whether he has already played his last NFL game, as Licht informed the Bucs’ preseason broadcast.

Jensen’s substantial injury

Jensen’s loss has significant implications for the Buccaneers. In July 2022, he torn his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus. He also fractured his tibial head and cartilage. He chose treatment over surgery, returning to the field in just six months.

Although Jensen passed his physical at the beginning of this year’s training camp, he has not participated in practices or preseason games. It seemed probable that he would start the year on injured reserve (IR), but Tampa Bay’s decision to place him on the injured list before the cutdown day means he cannot play in 2023.

It’s worth noting that injured players must be included in a team’s initial 53-man roster before being placed on IR. Otherwise, they cannot be designated for a potential return later in the season.

“Ryan (is) arguably one of the best linemen in franchise history, one of the best free agent signings we’ve had,” Licht said Friday. “It’s gonna be hard to replicate or clone him. We can only hope to come close.”

Despite not participating as a player for the Bucs this year, Jensen intends to remain with the team and provide support in different capacities.

Will remain with the team

According to Licht, Jensen would remain with the team for the entire season. The center has expressed his enthusiasm for the team and desires to help the offensive line. He also displayed a strong interest in Cody Mauch, the team’s second-round rookie guard.

“Unfortunately, my knee wasn’t progressing in an upward, positive way,” Jensen said. “I fought my butt off. I put more work in this offseason than I’ve done probably in my entire career. It just wasn’t responding how it needed to respond.”

Jensen also explained that surgery might not provide much assistance for the knee issue, possibly making it worse. He also expressed his determination to fight and take all necessary steps to improve the knee’s condition.

The former Baltimore Ravens lineman confirmed that his return for the playoffs in January did not worsen his knee injury. The Buccaneers conducted medical scans on his knee both before and after the game, revealing only minor swelling and no additional damage.

Before news of Jensen’s injury emerged on Friday, Tampa Bay’s offensive line underwent significant changes. Tristan Wirfs, one of the league’s premier right tackles, shifted to the left side to replace Donovan Smith. Wirfs, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft and a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season, sought assistance from Tampa Bay’s team psychologist to cope with the anxiety of transitioning to left tackle.

Despite Jensen’s absence in 2023, the Buccaneers will have a familiar face at center. Robert Hainsey, who started all 17 games for Tampa Bay last season after Jensen’s injury, is projected to do the same this season. Hainsey, who might have competed for a starting guard role if Jensen had been healthy in the summer, ranked 10th in pass blocking and 26th in run blocking last year.