Will Bucs C Hainsey Be Available For The Playoffs?
Bucs center Robert Hainsey injured a hamstring in the 30-17 loss to the Falcons in Atlanta in Week 18 and played just 13 snaps before leaving the game. Tampa Bay moved left guard Nick Leverett over to center to fill in for the rest of the game, but what is Hainsey’s availability for the Bucs’ playoff game against the Cowboys?
Pewter Report has learned that Hainsey’s hamstring injury isn’t severe, and that the team is hopeful he can start against Dallas in the Wild Card round of the playoffs at Raymond James Stadium. The fact that the game is Monday night instead of Saturday or Sunday increases the chances that Hainsey could be ready to go. Hainsey has started every game at center this season as a second-year player.
Hainsey’s hamstring injury is considered to be a tweak as opposed to a serious strain, which helps his cause – and the Bucs’. Hainsey’s departure forced Tampa Bay to insert John Molchon in at left guard to replace Leverett in Atlanta. Molchon, who has been in Tampa Bay for the past three years, mostly on the practice squad, saw his first NFL regular season action in Sunday’s loss.
