Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting safety Jordan Whitehead suffered injuries in a car accident Sunday that will keep him out of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Whitehead was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, and the Buccaneers signed Ryan Neal from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
The team said the accident occurred as Whitehead was heading to practice. Details about his injuries were not released.
Whitehead, 27, started 12 games for the Bucs this season, missing four due to a pectoral injury. He had 79 tackles and three passes defensed, and he played 91 percent of the defensive snaps when active.
He signed a two-year, $9 million free-agent deal with the Buccaneers in March after two seasons with the New York Jets. He began his career with four seasons in Tampa Bay before returning.
Whitehead has appeared in 105 career games (101 starts) and made 557 tackles (31 for loss). He also has 2.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 45 passes defensed.
The Buccaneers (9-7) will play for the NFC South title on Sunday. A victory against the Saints seals the division and a playoff spot. If the Buccaneers lose and the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) defeat the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons win the division.
