Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident on Saturday and suffered injuries significant enough for the team to place him on the non-football injured list, according to the Tampa Bay Times. This report notes that White is doing well overall, but is not expected to return this season.
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, the Bucs say the accident occurred as Whitehead was en route to the team facility.
“Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident this morning while en route to our practice facility,” the statement read. “Due to injuries sustained in the accident, he will not play in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints and has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list.”
Whitehead, 27, is in the middle of his second stint with the Buccaneers. The veteran was initially selected by the organization in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh. He played four seasons for the franchise and was part of the club’s Super Bowl LV championship in 2020. In the spring of 2022, he signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract to join the New York Jets. After closing that deal, he returned to Tampa Bay last offseason.
Whitehead has appeared in 12 games for the Bucs this season and had just returned to the field in Week 17 after missing time due to a pectoral injury. In total, he has totaled 79 tackles and three pass deflections.
As for the Buccaneers’ season finale, the loss of Whitehead leaves the secondary even more shorthanded. The club had already ruled out safety Antoine Winfield Jr and cornerback Jamel Dean for their crucial Week 18 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
If Tampa Bay can defeat the Saints on Sunday, they will clinch the NFC South division title and punch their ticket to the playoffs.
