31 Jordan Whitehead FS

Whitehead tallied seven solo tackles, including one for loss, in the Buccaneers' 27-20 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.

Whitehead co-led the Bucs in tackles on the afternoon, bouncing back after back-to-back three-tackle efforts in Weeks 14 and 15. The 2018 fourth-round pick has mostly been solid in his baptism by fire this season, with injuries to Chris Conte (knee) and Justin Evans (toe) affording him considerably more opportunity than was initially expected. He'll draw one more start at free safety in Week 17 against the Falcons to close out the campaign.

Whitehead (concussion) compiled 10 tackles (all solo) and was credited with a pair of passes defensed in the Buccaneers' 27-3 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

The rookie led the Bucs in tackles during what was the team's best defensive performance of the season. Whitehead is undergoing an initiation by fire as the starting free safety in the wake of Chris Conte's season-ending knee injury, but he's battled through some rough patches to produce strong tackle numbers on many weeks. Factoring in his Week 12 production, the 21-year-old is now up to 53 total stops (43 solo) across nine games.

Whitehead (concussion) is active for Sunday's Week 12 tilt against the 49ers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

The rookie safety's availability is especially welcome on a day when Justin Evans (toe) will miss another game. Whitehead has logged eight tackles for the second time in the last three games in Week 11 against the Giants and will have the advantage of facing a short-handed 49ers receiving corps that will be missing both Marquise Goodwin (personal) and Pierre Garcon (knee).

Whitehead (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Whitehead was able to fully participate in practice Thursday and Friday after being sidelined to begin the week. The rookie fourth round-pick remained in the concussion protocol as of Thursday, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times, with no subsequent confirmation he's been cleared. If he's unable to gain clearance before kickoff, Andrew Adams would benefit from an increased defensive role.

Whitehead (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol Thursday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Whitehead was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday's injury report according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, but he still hasn't officially cleared the league-mandated concussion protocol. The fourth-round rookie sustained a concussion during last Sunday's loss to the Giants, and his Week 12 status appears uncertain at best. If Whitehead were to remain sidelined for any amount of time, Andrew Adams would benefit from an uptick in defensive snaps.