An auto accident occurred while Jordan Whitehead of the Bucs was driving to the practice facility.

This season, the Bucs have had Whitehead start 12 games.

An auto accident occurred while Jordan Whitehead of the Bucs was driving to the practice facility.
An auto accident occurred while Jordan Whitehead of the Bucs was driving to the practice facility.

On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that defensive back Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident on his way to the practice facility.

The Buccaneers' statement read that he will not play in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints due to injuries sustained in the accident and has been placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.

Ryan Neal was added to the 53-man roster in place of Whitehead, who was removed from the practice squad.

Jordan Whitehead looks on
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium.  (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

This season, Whitehead, 27, has been a crucial member of the Bucs, appearing in all 12 games and starting every one of them.

This season, Whitehead has recorded 79 combined tackles, with two tackles resulting in a loss and one QB hit.

The Saints' loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday will result in the Buccaneers winning the NFC South division and securing a playoff spot, regardless of the outcome of the Falcons-Panthers game.

Jordan Whitehead makes tackle
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) defends during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.  (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)

Whitehead has been in the NFL for seven seasons, having been selected in the fourth round in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers and being part of their Super Bowl winning team in the 2020-2021 season.

During the Buccaneers' Super Bowl run, Whitehead played in every game in both the regular season and playoffs.

Over the course of two years, he started every game for the New York Jets after signing with the team in the 2021-2022 season.

Jordan Whitehead reacts after a play
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium.  (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

In the offseason, Whitehead signed a two-year contract with the Bucs after spending two seasons with the Jets.

DJ Johnson of the Panthers will not play against the Falcons due to a car accident, coach Dave Canales announced on Friday.

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by Ryan Canfield

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