Buccaneers Safety Jordan Whitehead Injured in Car Accident, Placed on NFI List, Report Says

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead was involved in an automobile accident on Saturday, sustaining injuries significant enough for the team to place him on the non-football injury list, according to the Tampa Bay Times. While the report indicates that Whitehead is otherwise okay, he is not expected to return this season.

In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the Buccaneers confirmed that the accident occurred while Whitehead was traveling to the team facility.

Jordan Whitehead was involved in an auto accident this morning on his way to our practice facility, the statement reads. Due to 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 Injury (NFI) list.

Whitehead, 27, is currently in his second stint with the Buccaneers. Originally drafted by the team in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh, he played four seasons with the franchise, including a key role in their Super Bowl LV championship run in 2020. In the spring of 2022, he signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the New York Jets. After completing that deal, he returned to Tampa Bay last offseason.

Whitehead has appeared in 12 games for the Buccaneers this season, recently returning to the field in Week 17 after recovering from a pectoral injury. He has accumulated 79 tackles and three pass breakups.

With the season finale approaching, Whitehead's absence further depletes the Buccaneers' secondary. The team had already ruled out fellow safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and cornerback Jamel Dean for the crucial Week 18 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

If Tampa Bay defeats the Saints on Sunday, they will clinch the NFC South division title and secure a spot in the playoffs.