What did Tom Brady say about Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen’s injury and his replacement?
Brady has bemoaned the knee injury suffered by Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, but has offered words of praise for replacement Robert Hainsey.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost center Ryan Jensen indefinitely to a knee injury and that has saddened quarterback Tom Brady, who is about to start his 23rd season in the NFL.
Bucs “heartbroken” over Jensen injury, Brady says
However, Brady appeared optimistic that Robert Hainsey, the offensive lineman designated by head coach Todd Bowles to replace Jensen, will perform well in the middle of the Bucs’ offensive line.
“He’s worked really hard,” Brady told reporters when asked about Hainey. “Obviously, everyone’s heartbroken with what happened to Ryan. It’ll take a little time, but Hainey’s got to step into the job and do a great job.
“He’s worked hard last year, really gained the trust of a lot of people. He’s got to go earn it, like all of us. It’s not how hard you work in the off-season, it’s how good of a football player are you.”
Hainey has big shoes to fill, since Jensen has been the Bucs’ starting center for the last four seasons and in 2021 was invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Who is Robert Hainsey?
Hainsey was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2021 Draft after spending four years with Notre Dame. He played 46 games for the Fighting Irish, 37 as a starter.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native played only 35 snaps on offence and 35 snaps on special teams during the nine games he was active in his rookie NFL season.