By ESPN | Created at 2025-01-04 20:05:17 | Updated at 2025-01-06 18:54:20
1 day ago
Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff WriterJan 4, 2025, 02:56 PM ET
- Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN.
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting safety Jordan Whitehead was involved in an automobile accident on his way to the team facility Saturday. A source told ESPN that Whitehead is alert and at the hospital currently undergoing tests.
But the team said he will miss Sunday's regular season finale against the New Orleans and the team is placing him on the reserve/non-football injury list. The team has called up Ryan Neal from the practice squad.
A source told ESPN that the accident happened right by the facility just before practice and that the team's head of security and training staff were able to get to him immediately to provide support.
Whitehead suffered a partially torn pectoral injury in Week 12 and has battled his way back to start in the Bucs' Week 17 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The Bucs have also been without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. since suffering a knee injury in Week 14. Backup safety/nickelback Christian Izien, who has played extensively this season, is also out for the year after undergoing pectoral surgery last week. The team has been relying on Mike Edwards and Kaevon Merriweather.
