Report: Former Notre Dame lineman Robert Hainsey avoids injury scare at NFL practice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and second-year offensive lineman Robert Hainsey reportedly avoided a major injury scare at training camp practice on Wednesday. Initial reports had the former Notre Dame offensive lineman going down and needing a cart to exit practice, however, insider Ian Rapoport shared via Tweet that he’s heard it’s “just cramps.”

The Buccaneers were already down to the second-string with Hainsey after the serious injury to returning starting center Ryan Jensen at the start of camp. Jensen had considered leaving Tampa Bay in free agency this offseason but opted to return once Tom Brady announced his comeback from a brief retirement.

Todd Bowles revealed that Jenson could be out for “at least a couple of months,” meaning the Bucs need Hainsey more than ever. He moved from tackle to center in his inaugural professional year but played sparingly behind the veteran. The 6-foot-4, 306-pound lineman did not allow a sack over 31 snaps in 2021. He played in nine games, mostly at the end of the season.

Bucs depending on Hainsey at center

Robert Hainsey was the No. 95 overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He went to the Bucs after starting for three seasons at Notre Dame. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman and started one.

Hainsey suffered an injury in 2019 but returned in 2020 to start all 13 games at right tackle. He earned second-team All-ACC selection before becoming the Bucs’ second pick after Kyle Trask.

“We see him as a real versatile guy,” General Manager Jason Licht said of Hainsey after the draft. “It’s not that we don’t think that he can play right tackle, but we do think that he has a big upside at guard or center, which he also played at the Senior Bowl and kind of caught our attention, just the versatility aspect.

“He’s a captain, he’s a tough guy, he’s very smart. He’s going to be a guy that hopefully we can plug in at several positions, be a four-spot guy possibly at some point.”