Tampa Bay Buccaneers Place Pro Bowl Center On Injured Reserve

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't have their leader on the offensive line back anytime soon. The team officially announced they placed center Ryan Jensen on injured reserve earlier this morning:

We've re-signed S Logan Ryan and placed C Ryan Jensen on injured reserve.

In addition, we've signed CB Anthony Chesley to the practice squad and reached an injury settlement with WR Cyril Grayson Jr., who was waived (injured).
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 1, 2022

The move comes following a knee injury Jensen suffered in July. Placing the center on I.R. guarantees he'll miss at least the first four games of the season, but the fact that the Bucs waited until after yesterday's 53-man roster cutdown indicates that they do anticipate he may be back at some point this season. Placing him on IR any earlier would have made him ineligible to return until next year.

The Bucs have had a tough offseason across the offensive line, so any reason for optimism is certainly welcome. Early reports indicated Jensen would miss multiple months at least, so the Bucs likely don't expect him back immediately following the minimum four games I.R. demands. If he returns, it'll likely be for a late-season push heading into the playoffs.