David Chao, MD
2 min read • July 28, 2022
Posted in
Buccaneers' Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen was carted off with a left knee injury on Day 2 of training camp after he was rolled up on by a teammate during practice.
By limited video with just one angle, the Pro Football Docs have significant worry for a torn ACL and MCL for the 31-year-old lineman.
Based on the injury mechanism, the best case scenario would be a Grade 3 MCL sprain, which would allow Jensen to return around the mid-season mark.
Tampa Bay general manager Todd Licht told reporters he feels terrible for Ryan Jensen but had no update on his knee injury. Licht said it may take several days to diagnose due to swelling, but the team is “hoping for the best.”
However, Licht's claim that swelling is delaying the diagnosis does not hold water.
Swelling happens overnight, not immediately. The only type of swelling that occurs immediately – a hematoma – happens after a significant impact, which was not the case with Jensen.
Our panel of Pro Football Docs, with decades of NFL experience, have never had swelling delay a diagnosis.
Robert Hainsey would likely fill in at center if Jensen is out an extended period of time.
Jensen has not missed any regular season games during his four-year tenure with the Bucs.
He suffered a left ankle sprain during last season's Wild Card round, but remained in the game.
Tampa Bay signed Jensen to a 3-year, $39 million deal after his first Pro Bowl season in 2021.
He has only allowed 14 sacks in over 4,000 pass block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
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Written by David Chao, MD
“Right now we feel terrible for (Ryan) Jensen,” GM Jason Licht said following the knee injury to the Bucs center.
