Bucs fans who have spent months futilely seeking an update on the status of injured center Ryan Jensen finally got a sliver of news — and hope — from an unlikely source.

His quarterback.

Speaking on his weekly Let’s Go! podcast, Tom Brady said Monday that it’s “still to be determined” when host Jim Gray asked him if Jensen could return should the Bucs reach the postseason.

“I know he’s been very vigilant with his rehab,” Brady said. “I don’t know, I don’t think anyone knows right now. I know he’s a lot closer, and I know he’s itching to be out there. I see him every day, I try to encourage him every day.”

A 2021 Pro Bowler who signed a three-year, $39 million contract this past spring, Jensen was carted off the AdventHealth Training Center fields after injuring his left knee on the second day of training camp in late July. Though currently on injured reserve, the specifics of his injury never have been revealed.

Still a sideline regular at games, he has sported a black brace on the knee — but nary a limp — in recent weeks.

His return not only would galvanize the fan base, but offer a swagger and snarl to a unit decimated by injuries. In Sunday night’s 19-16 overtime win against the Cardinals, left tackle Donovan Smith (foot) was inactive, backup tackle Josh Wells tore his left patellar tendon, and Pro Bowl right tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) grimaced his way through the game in his first action in a month.

“That would be a big boost if (a Jensen return) did happen,” Brady said.

As for the possible return of another prominent blocker, Brady was a bit more light-hearted.

On Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that retired tight end Rob Gronkowski had reached out to the Bucs about a possible return before ultimately choosing to stay retired.

“Look, nobody loves Gronk more than me, other than probably his mom and dad and brothers,” Brady said.

“He’s like family to me; he’s kind of like one of my kids actually. Every now and then I’ve got to put him in timeout for misbehaving, for eating paste and stuff like that. Whatever he ever decides (about) his future, I’ll be fully supportive.”

Other topics addressed Monday by Brady:

NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth’s statement that watching Brady miss on a short throw to Russell Gage is “like watching LeBron James missing a layup.”

“I’m sure that’s pretty natural covering a game. And look, I’m going to get a chance to cover some games here shortly (for Fox) at some point. So maybe I get a chance to fire back at everyone else. But I think that’s natural for a commentator to have his opinion. And I don’t know, whether you agree with it or not, it’s just an opinion. And I think for me, I try to control what I can control. ... Do I miss passes? 100%. Absolutely.”

Wells’ injury:

“I feel horrible for Josh. He went in there (Sunday), he was so excited to play, so excited to go out there and help the team. And before he got injured — the play before that — he actually got hurt on his other knee. He said in the huddle, ‘I can make it, I’m good, I’m good, I’m going to keep going.’ He put all his weight on his left leg, and then sure enough, kind of a season-ending injury.”

Playing a Christmas game (on the road, no less) for the first time in his career:

“I think some of these trips can actually be very bonding. We had that trip to Germany this year; we had three or four days in Germany. It was great for our team to be together. Everyone’s in the cafeteria eating together, we’re doing meetings. It feels like we’re going away to camp. We’re fighting hard, we’re fighting to the end.”

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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