Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety Jordan Whitehead Injured in Car Accident Ahead of Critical Playoff Push
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a pivotal matchup on Sunday as they host the New Orleans Saints in their bid to secure one of the final NFC playoff spots. However, their preparations were dealt a blow after safety Jordan Whitehead was injured in a car accident on Saturday.
In a statement, the Buccaneers announced that Whitehead has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list, and safety Ryan Neal has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
“Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident this morning while on his way to our practice facility,” the team stated. “Due to the 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 related injuries list. We have signed Ryan Neal from our practice squad to the 53-man roster.”
The team did not disclose details about Whitehead’s injuries or the timeline for his return.
Buccaneers Look to Clinch NFC South Title
The Buccaneers, currently 9-7, are on the cusp of securing their fourth consecutive NFC South title. A win against the 8-8 New Orleans Saints on Sunday would eliminate the Atlanta Falcons from playoff contention.
Despite Whitehead’s absence, the Buccaneers are optimistic about their chances. The safety has started 12 games this season but missed four games earlier due to a pectoral injury. During that stretch, Tampa Bay posted a strong 4-1 record, demonstrating their depth and resilience.
Whitehead has been a key contributor this season, recording 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. He had been designated to return from injured reserve on December 24 but was still uncertain for Sunday’s game before the accident.
The Buccaneers remain focused on their playoff push, hoping to maintain their momentum and secure their postseason berth despite the setback.
