The 45-year old Tom Brady knows a thing or two about being healthy for the biggest moments in the playoffs. You don’t play in the NFL for over two decades without being able to avoid costly injuries each season. But it’s the health of his Bucs teammates that Brady has was interested in this week.

Tampa Bay has injuries on top of injuries that they are dealing with heading into the postseason. On defense in recent weeks they have missed the services of Carlton Davis, Vita Vea, Logan Ryan and Mike Edwards among others. Offensively, both starting offensive tackles, Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs have missed time due to injury, then Robert Hainsey exited their last game with a hamstring injury, not to mention wide receiver Russell Gage hurt his back as well.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

Despite all of that, Brady feels good heading into a showdown against the Cowboys on Monday night in the Super Wildcard round.

“We have seven days to prepare, we’ve got kind of the whole week,” Brady said on his podcast Let’s Go! With Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray. “I’m sure everyone’s a little bit day-to-day right now. I’m hoping we’re pretty healthy. I believe we’re going to be as healthy as we’ve been all year, which is kind of exciting to get some guys back that haven’t been in there and then see if we can go play our best football. I even said after the game, it sucks being 8-9. You’re playing against teams that have way better records, 12-5, whatever it is. But you know what? The only thing that matters is who wins that day.

“That’s the best part about NFL football  playoffs. It doesn’t matter what you did 10 weeks ago, and I’m not saying you’re going to win because you played terrible 10 weeks ago, I’m saying the person that wins and the team that wins is the one that prepares the best and ultimately executes the best for those three hours of that playoff game. Sometimes I feel like we’ve been the better team and lost. Sometimes we haven’t been the better team and won. It doesn’t mater, how did you perform on the stage and the biggest moment in the season? We’ll see if we can go out there and get it done.”

Brady Discusses Jensen

Bucs C Ryan Jensen and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Does that mean…..dare I say it…that center Ryan Jensen could be ready for Monday night? Brady pumped the breaks on that one a little but didn’t rule it out either.

“He’s been working pretty hard,” Brady said. “I don’t know the status on Monday. I think we’ll know more by the end of the week. I’m proud of him for what he’s overcome and it would be a big boost. There’s no doubt about it, but I don’t again know what his status is in particular.”

It’s difficult to balance what’s best for the Bucs when it comes to Jensen’s return. He’s one of their best offensive linemen that brings attitude to the whole group. On the other hand, he hasn’t played a snap all season and he can’t just be subbed in and out like other positions. This is a winner-takes-all game and you’re taking a risk with Jensen in.

Just like the rest of us, Brady will have to wait and see during practice before the Bucs make a decision on him this week.