It's been a tough season for Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead, one that took a scary turn on Saturday.
According to multiple reports, Whitehead was involved in a car accident on Saturday while driving to the team's practice facility. The Bucs released a statement saying that due to his injuries, Whitehead would not be playing on Sunday against the Saints.
While the extent of his injuries aren't fully known, Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud reported that they were significant enough for the team to place Whitehead on the non-football injury list. He's expected to miss 'multiple weeks', which means he probably won't be available for the first two rounds of the playoffs if Tampa Bay gets that far.
"Jordan Whitehead was involved in an automobile accident today and suffered injuries significant enough for the team to place him on the non-football injury list," Stroud reported.
It's the latest in a series of unfortunate turns for Whitehead in his first season back with the Bucs. He suffered a pectoral injury in the team's win over the New York Giants right after the bye week which caused him to be placed on IR. He was activated ahead of last week's game against the Panthers which seemed to indicate he'd finally get back into the mix.
Whitehead was part of an offseason based around reunions for Tampa Bay, but he was the only free agent who had spent time away from the team to return. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans both re-signed before hitting the open market, while Whitehead returned after spending the last two seasons in Robert Saleh's defense with the Jets.
His return was rightfully celebrated, but he's struggled to re-acclimate himself in a defense he once helped win a Super Bowl. Whitehead has struggled at times this season, drawing the ire of fans, but has still managed to play well enough to be an important part of the defense.
It's a defense that continues to get battered by injuries. Whitehead joins Antoine Winfield Jr. as safeties who won't suit up on Sunday, meaning Ryan Neal will get elevated to the 53-man roster to help make up for the lack of depth.
All the Bucs need to do is win and they'll have clinched a fourth straight division title. Getting into the playoffs is the first step toward potentially being dangerous, but right now all anyone cares about is making sure Whitehead make a full recovery.
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