Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Injures neck in car accident
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The injury Whitehead suffered in an automobile accident Saturday is considered neck-related, though the issue is not believed to be a long-term concern, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Whitehead sustained the injury while driving to the Buccaneers' practice facility early Saturday and was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list later in the day, bringing an end to his 2024 season. While Whitehead's long-term prognosis is promising, his absence for Week 18 and a potential playoff run is another big hit to an injury-ravaged Tampa Bay secondary. The Buccaneers currently have three other defensive backs on injured reserve and have ruled out starting cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) and starting safety Antoine Winfield (knee) for Sunday's game against the Saints.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Moved to NFI after auto accident
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Whitehead (undisclosed) was involved in an automobile accident Saturday and was subsequently placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Whitehead had just returned from a four-game stint on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury, playing every defensive snap in his return last Sunday versus Carolina. The nature and severity of the injuries the safety suffered in Saturday's accident aren't yet clear, but Stroud reports that Whitehead isn't expected to return this season. Whitehead's health is obviously the most important concern for Tampa Bay, but from a football perspective it's also key to point out that the team is already very thin in the secondary with Antoine Winfield (knee), Christian Izien (pectoral) and Jamel Dean (knee) all also out for Sunday's critical clash against New Orleans. Kaevon Merriweather is likely to step into a starting role in Whitehead's stead.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Three tackles in return
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Whitehead recorded three tackles (two solo) in the Buccaneers' 48-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
The veteran safety was making his return after a four-game stay on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury. Whitehead played on all 47 defensive snaps, and although his tackle total tied a season low, the fact he appears fully past his injury is of overriding importance with the Buccaneers still harboring playoff hopes.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Returning to action
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Whitehead (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
As expected, Whitehead was activated off injured reserve Saturday and will suit up Sunday for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury against the Giants in Week 12. He should replace Mike Edwards in the starting lineup at safety, but Whitehead may face some limitations during his return. Over 11 appearances this season, Whitehead has recorded 76 tackles (47 solo) and three pass defenses.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Could return in Week 17
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Whitehead (pectoral) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Whitehead has missed Tampa Bay's last four games due to a pectoral injury but appears poised to return for Sunday's divisional matchup after practicing in full throughout the week. However, the 27-year-old remains on injured reserve and must still be added to the active roster in order to play in Week 17. If Whitehead is forced to miss his fifth consecutive game Sunday, expect Mike Edwards to serve as the Buccaneers' starting strong safety.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Has 21-day practice window opened
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Whitehead (pectoral) was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Whitehead landed on IR in late November due to a ruptured pec, and he's since missed the required four games. It's not yet clear if he'll be activated ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Carolina, though that could certainly happen if the veteran safety is able to ramp up enough in practice this week. Prior to getting hurt, Whitehead started Tampa Bay's first 11 games of the campaign and tallied 76 tackles (47 solo) along with three defensed passes.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Moved to IR
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Whitehead (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
As expected, Whitehead will need to miss at least four games after rupturing his pectoral Sunday against the Giants. There remains a possibility he could return this season, but it could take a Tampa Bay playoff run in order for him to be able to do so. Mike Edwards likely will take over Whitehead's starting strong safety role in the meantime.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Season may be over
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Whitehead may have suffered a torn pectoral in Sunday's win over the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Whitehead will undergo an MRI to receive confirmation of the severity, and if that is the diagnosis, it will put an early end to the 27-year-old's season. His absence would certainly be a blow to the team's secondary and thrust the recently acquired Mike Edwards into a starting role.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Done for the day
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Whitehead (pectoral) will not return to Sunday's game against the Giants, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The safety recorded five solo tackles, including a tackle for a loss, before exiting. Whitehead has played on nearly every defensive snap in most of Tampa Bay's games this season. Mike Edwards is his backup.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Questionable for Sunday
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Whitehead (quadriceps) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.
The 27-year-old opened Tampa Bay's week of practice with consecutive DNPs, but he upgraded to a limited session Friday, suggesting he could be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday. However, if Whitehead can't play through his quadriceps issue in Week 10, expect Kaevon Merriweather to serve as the Buccaneers' top strong safety.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: On track to play Week 6
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Whitehead (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but he's considered likely to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Though he's carrying a designation into Sunday, Whitehead looks on track to suit up after he was a limited participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday before turning in a full session Friday. Tampa Bay should have both its starting safeties available for the first time since Week 1, as Antoine Winfield (foot) is listed as questionable but is also expected to play after missing the previous four games. Whitehead has tallied 36 tackles and three pass breakups through the first five weeks of the campaign.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Still nursing groin injury
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Whitehead (groin) was listed as a limited participant on the Buccaneers' injury report Wednesday.
Whitehead suffered a groin injury in Week 4 against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. His practice participation Thursday and Friday will provide clarity on his status heading into Sunday's game against the Saints. Through the first five games of the regular season, Whitehead has accumulated 36 tackles (24 solo) and three passes defended.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Continues steady start to campaign
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Whitehead registered six tackles (five solo) in a 33-16 Week 4 victory over the Eagles on Sunday.
Whitehead tied for second on the Buccaneers in stops behind linebacker Lavonte David. Whitehead has recorded at least six tackles in all four of Tampa Bay's contests so far this year, giving him a reliable IDP floor. The safety is coming off a career-best 97 stops last season as a member of the Jets.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Set for Sunday
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Whitehead (undisclosed) is good to go this week according to head coach Todd Bowles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Whitehead returned to practice last week after missing a significant amount of training camp and not suiting up in a single preseason game due to an undisclosed issue. Despite the extended absence, it appears it's all systems go for the Pittsburgh product, and he should be getting the start at strong safety Sunday against the Commanders.
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Jets' Jordan Whitehead: Three tackles shy of 100 in 2023
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Whitehead (calf) finished the 2023 season with 97 tackles (65 solo) and four interceptions among his nine passes defensed.
Whitehead picked off Josh Allen three times in Week 1, and while he notched only one interception the rest of the season, the starting strong safety was a key contributor in the Jets' elite secondary. He set new career highs in tackles and passes defensed while appearing in all 17 games, though Whitehead exited the season finale due to a calf injury. Once the calf is healed, Whitehead will likely generate plenty of interest as a free agent, with the Jets among his potential suitors.
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Jets' Jordan Whitehead: Leaves with injury
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Whitehead (calf) exited Sunday's game against the Patriots and is doubtful to return, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.
Whitehead's early departure will leave the Jets with little depth at safety. In his absence, Ashtyn Davis will likely take over at strong safety. Whitehead recorded no statistics prior to his exit and will finish the 2023 season with 97 tackles, nine pass breakups, four interceptions and one half-sack over 17 appearances.
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Jets' Jordan Whitehead: Approaching career high in tackles
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Whitehead had eight tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 30-0 loss to the Dolphins.
Whitehead was the leading tackler for the Jets in the lopsided loss. He needs five tackles to tie last season's career high of 89, and Whitehead has already tied his career high with nine passes defensed, including a career-best four interceptions.
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Jets' Jordan Whitehead: Gets fourth interception
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Whitehead had nine tackles (four solo) and an interception in Sunday's 16-12 loss to the Raiders.
Whitehead managed six yards on his interception return. It was his fourth interception of the season. The first three all came against Josh Allen in Week 1, and Whitehead will face Allen's Bills again in Week 11. The starting strong safety also came one tackle shy of his season high in the Week 10 loss.
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Jets' Jordan Whitehead: Will play Sunday
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Whitehead (hamstring) is active Sunday against the Dolphins, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Whitehead appeared on the team's injury report Wednesday and closed out the week with limited practices. The fifth-year safety's ability to suit up should be a boon for the team's secondary and also help them play spoiler to the Dolphins' playoff chances.
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Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Strong postseason-opening effort
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Whitehead, who recorded six tackles (all solo), including two for loss, during the Buccaneers 31-15 wild-card win over the Eagles on Sunday, finished the 2021 regular season with 73 tackles (58 solo), two interceptions, eight defensed passes overall and a forced fumble over 14 games.
Whitehead did allow a career-high 62.2 percent completion rate when in primary coverage, but he once again put together what would be considered a solid IDP campaign in his fourth season. The 2018 fourth-round pick checked in as the third-leading tackler in the wild-card victory and should play a prominent role in trying to slow down the Rams' potent air attack during Sunday's divisional-round clash.
