When Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen first injured his knee during training camp, the Bucs brass hoped that he would maybe be available at some point in the season. Then the reality set it that it was going to be quite a while.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Scott Reynolds/PR

Head coach Todd Bowles had been fairly quiet about any updates regarding Tampa Bay’s starting center. That was until Wednesday when a separate report stated that there’s a chance Jensen could be back soon.

In a story by Jason Cole on Outkick.com, Cole states from a source that Jensen “could” be back for the Bucs’ Week 9 home game against the Los Angeles Rams.

That feels like a stretch, though, and a wildly early prediction. Jensen hasn’t been seen much in public outside of a couple of pictures on game day with the team. He’s yet to practice, so for him to just all of a sudden be ready for practice in a week and then push around 300-pound defensive linemen another week later just doesn’t sound very reasonable.  All other reports indicate that he wouldn’t be ready until at minimum December.

Bowles Gives Update On Jensen

Bucs C Robert Hainsey and LG Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“As far as I know, he’s still limping [and] hobbled,” Bowles said. “I can’t tell you how he’s going to heal – he’s walking better and that’s the best I can tell you. I don’t know when he’ll be back. Other than him walking around without a brace – that’s all I’ve seen. No more progress than I’ve seen before.”

That doesn’t sound like a guy that is going to be ready in three weeks.

In the meantime, the Bucs will role with second-year player Robert Hainsey at center. It’s his first time starting and he’s been solid through six career games.

Tampa Bay would love to get Jensen back before the end of the season so they could slide Hainsey over to left guard and replace the struggling Luke Goedeke. Until then, the Bucs don’t have a lot of other viable options at the moment.