ASJ Seems Irked Being Sidelined
November 13th, 2015
Bristles about shoulder questions.
One big topic of conversation among Bucs fandom is the status of starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and his bum shoulder.
Hurt in the win over New Orleans in Week Two, ASJ has yet to return to the field of play.
One thing is for sure. He does not like talking about his injured shoulder. And if one tried to read between the lines of what ASJ said yesterday to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, it smells like someone may just be holding him back — and ASJ is biting his lip about the subject.
Of course, that is just Joe speculating. But ASJ’s body language and responses were, well, interesting. There is no question it is a sore subject.
When approached by reporters, ASJ was adamant he felt “great” yesterday.
“I feel great; I feel great; I feel great,” ASJ said. Just “like last week. I’m excited to get to practice and get better.”
When asked why, if he felt great, he hasn’t yet been cleared to play, ASJ’s mood quickly turned sour.
“That is a question you have to ask the medical staff,” ASJ said. “I’m doing my part, coaches are doing their part, everyone is doing their part, medical staff is doing their part. We have to make sure everyone is healthy and make sure it’s safe for people to go out there.
“I understand that people want me to be out there and all that, but you have to make sure you are healthy and you can, first of all protect yourself, and then protect your teammates. I’m not going to go out there if I can’t protect myself and can’t protect my teammates.”
When asked if he could specify what was wrong with his shoulder, ASJ sighed, grimaced and shut down the subject.
“I’m not going to talk any more about the shoulder stuff. I ‘m done talking about it.”
As usual, Lovie refuses to shed much light on player injuries, sort of a cross between high school gamesmanship with NHL mentality thrown in. You know, “upper-body injury,” as they say in hockey.
ASJ has only suited up for 11 of 24 potential Bucs games played since he was drafted. At this point in his career, it seems simply injury-prone.
Now with Gerald McCoy, there is no question he is playing with a bum shoulder and Joe is convinced it is worse than he or the team is letting on. How else do you explain how GMC at one point this season was leading the NFL in sacks by a defensive tackle, and since has been virtually invisible but for one play?
It appears ASJ has a pretty nasty shoulder injury, just on face value. Could it be the way Lovie treats injuries like the Department of Defense treats nuclear test codes, Lovie is letting guys like GMC and ASJ twist in the wind of public opinion?
Consider ASJ’s short, terse answer when asked why he hasn’t been cleared if he feels great, “That is a question you have to ask the medical staff.”
Of course, the Bucs do not allow those staffers to be available for questions.
To hear more from ASJ, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
November 13th, 2015 at 5:13 am
Can’t blame ASJ for being irked at not being able to shed more light on his injury. It’s been taken out of his hands and I’m sure he doesn’t like that. But Lovie as HC has the right to limit injury info to the press … and thus to our weekly opponents. I’m sure drafting up a game plan is more difficult if you’re unsure whether a TE like ASJ is going to be in there.
November 13th, 2015 at 6:44 am
Sounds to me this is similar to the center and right guard situation where they like the production and chemistry they are getting out of the position, especially with blocking assignments, so they don’t want to mess with that. If that is the case then I applaud the coaching staff for making that sober assessment but it is a damning statement on the development of our high draft pick.
November 13th, 2015 at 7:13 am
Irked? Irked?
New nickname: Irkel
November 13th, 2015 at 7:14 am
He is getting blasted by the fans and media. I’d be pissed off if thousands of people were ragging on me just because i was hurt. ASJ has a lot of pride in himself, and not being able to play is killing him, he just wants to go out and play, and prove the haters wrong. But there is nothing yoi can do about injuries, they happen and it sucks for everyone, the player, the team, and the fans.
November 13th, 2015 at 7:43 am
The “TEAM” says that ASJ is recovering from an injury serious enough to require a long rehab. What ASJ says in that regard is meaningless.
Jameis needs a TE that is a “reliable” target. I would argue that former SF (TE) Vernon Davis would have made a significant addition to our roster despite his age, contract and injury history.
My ONLY beef with the Bucs is that they now have a roster full of skill position players on varying levels of DNP, PUP and IR and the reserve financial resources to do something about it.
Come on Monty, lets make a deal…!!!
November 13th, 2015 at 7:45 am
Some are suggesting that ASJ is able to play but chooses to stay out…..others that he is soft. There is no evidence of either…..the NFL is a violent game and can cause serious injury…..many injured for life….many requiring surgery.
Most of it is purely bad luck. Players want to play…..period.
November 13th, 2015 at 8:07 am
NO MORE “ASJ”
Say hello to “Irkel”
November 13th, 2015 at 8:08 am
I’m healthy, I’m not healthy, I want to play, medical staff won’t let me play blah blah blah. Another Lovie wasted pick. Between the #1 who can’t catch a wet ball or in a dome and the #2 who is never healthy enough to play. Looks like the L&L draft last year is not that great. Oh well, I’m sure Lovie will get things turned around. We just have to be patient.
November 13th, 2015 at 8:22 am
Role should be reversed with him and GMC …protect the 100 million dollar investment
November 13th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Probably broke his clavicle, even when it feels better, the Docs are worried it might break again easily if it isn’t fully healed.
November 13th, 2015 at 8:50 am
I believe with shoulders there are certain stress tests that they can perform so that they know if it has truly healed or not…..so even if a player feels ok to play….he isn’t.
November 13th, 2015 at 9:12 am
CC – Mike Evans has a couple of bad games and now he is a bust??? LOL! He is a stud and still racked up over 153 yards recieving in his worst game a pro. He will get rid of yips soon enough. As for ASJ, the dude has had some bad luck with injuries early in his career. Nobody can predict injuries. Go read Tony G’s statements again. He was a great draft pick with tons of potential. L&L have made plenty of bad personnel decisions but I wouldn’t blame them for drafting a Gronk like TE in the 2nd round that hasn’t worked out so far due to unforeseen injuries.
November 13th, 2015 at 9:36 am
Tell me how McCoy plays hurt and ASJ cant … Bull….
ASJ has practiced for two weeks and still cant play… PLEASE they wont put him on the practice field if he had a broken collarbone…
SOFT AS PUDDING
November 13th, 2015 at 9:37 am
Look Joe, stop with the “how can u explain at one point he led the NFL in sacks at DT.” It was like 3 games in. And one of those games was a blow out, so who gives a crap about sack totals. McCoy hasn’t shown any splash plays the past 5 years he’s been here – he’s an all pro talker.
And ASJ, no one is holding him back. Otherwise our franchise defensive player wouldn’t be playing w a shoulder injury. We’re not going to the playoffs, we only have another 8 games before he heals ANOTHER whole offseason. He just doesn’t want to play with an ailment and he’s sick of answering for it…. come on Joe… you know what’s happening here.
And those quotes of his, are down right stupid! “It’s not safe for my teammates blah blah”… ok so we went from threatening your career if not 100%, that didn’t sell the fans, so now were using the safety of your teammates as an explanation?”
Lovie, McCoy, Winston, someone… get in this chicks face hard(y) style!
November 13th, 2015 at 10:15 am
Mike, do you really think ASJ has been cleared by the medical staff to play in games and he is saying “nah, I am going to sit out a few more games?” If he was cleared to play the coaches, whose jobs are on the line, would damn sure have him on the field. NFL players play hurt all the time but if the medical staff doesn’t clear them they simply cant go out and play Get a clue man.
November 13th, 2015 at 10:17 am
So Mike with your medical background I guess you have determined that all shoulder injuries are exactly the same? Your point regarding McCoy was valid, but damn the ASJ comments just ruined it. SMH.
November 13th, 2015 at 10:19 am
I don’t see why the ASJ injury details are so secretive. He says he is tired of talking about it. I’ve heard nothing about the specifics of the injury from the onset of the injury. Touchy subject.
November 13th, 2015 at 10:21 am
Absent Sefarian Jenkins is his real name and his real game.
November 13th, 2015 at 11:14 am
Well, missing 13 games in a year and a half, Joe would say that’s fairly significant evidence he is brittle.
November 13th, 2015 at 11:38 am
Touchdowntampa…these are the excuses that we are being told.Their words not mine. I am not making the sh*t up.
November 13th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
can we just say this about ASJ is a bust more time in the tub not enough on the field
November 13th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
What was ASJ’s injury record like in college? I honestly do not know.
As far as playing hurt I think Ben is on to something.
I think we all believe that NFL players should play through pain including injuries.
But I believe the line is drawn if the players risks worsening the injury and even lengthening the time before he truly heals and even perhaps putting his entire career at risk.
As Ben pointed out sometimes broken bones feel better but are still fragile and not ready for contact.
Play through pain…absolutely..risk more severe injury no.
November 13th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
ASJ did not miss a single game in college due to injury. He broke his pinkie finger in 2013, suffering the injury during a practice session but was ready for the season opener. He missed the season opener due to a DUI suspension. Sounds to me like Austin Seferian-Gronkowski will be ready to play Sunday!
2013 – College Hand. Broke his right pinkie finger during fall camp and had surgery to insert a pin in the finger.
2014 – College Foot. Combine examination revealed a stress fracture in his right foot, which required surgery and precluded him from working out. Missed his April 2 pro day because he was still recovering.
2014 – NFL Foot. ASJ injured the foot he fractured in the off-season that required surgery and missed 2 games
2014 – NFL Back. ASJ injured his back in week 12 and was placed on IR ending his season
2015 – NFL Shoulder. Week 2 vs New Orleans, shoulder injury, placed on IR.
November 13th, 2015 at 8:19 pm
@godzilla
Thanks for that info!
November 13th, 2015 at 9:20 pm
There is nothing wrong with Big Bubba Joe.