Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was hurt in an automobile accident on Saturday, with the team moving him onto the non-football injury list.
The Bucs host New Orleans Saints on Sunday, needing a win to make the postseason and become NFC South champions.
And if they do emerge victorious, as expected, Whitehead is not set to be involved in the playoffs. He will miss multiple weeks due to the injuries sustained Saturday.
The nature of his injuries are not yet known but he is said to be okay. It is a significant blow for the Bucs, however, with Whitehead not now excepted to play until next season.
The team said in a statement on Saturday: ‘Jordan Whitehead was involved in an auto accident this morning on his way to our practice facility.
‘Due to injuries sustained in the accident, he will not play in Sunday’s game against New Orleans Saints and has been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was hurt in an automobile accident Saturday
‘We have signed Ryan Neal from our practice squad to the 53-man roster.’
Baker Mayfield’s men lead the NFC South 9-7, one win ahead of the Atlanta Falcons who host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
Whitehead only returned for the Bucs last week after four weeks out, having hurt his pectoral muscle against New York Giants in Week 12.
Head coach Todd Bowles praised him after that game, a 48-14 win over the Panthers, saying: ‘The communication that he was doing and the disguising he was doing for everybody else and making them think one thing when we did another was outstanding.’
Tom Brady, who won his seventh and last Super Bowl title with the Bucs, is going to be on commentary duty in Tampa with Fox Sports.
