Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Jordan Whitehead will be absent from Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints following a car accident, the team announced on Saturday. The Buccaneers placed Whitehead on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list due to injuries he sustained in the accident.

To fill Whitehead's spot on the 53-man roster, the Buccaneers signed Ryan Neal from their practice squad.

Whitehead, a 27-year-old veteran, has been a consistent presence in the Buccaneers' lineup this season, starting in all 12 games he's played. He has recorded 79 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit.

A win against the Saints on Sunday would secure the NFC South division title for the Buccaneers and guarantee them a playoff berth, regardless of the outcome of the Atlanta Falcons-Carolina Panthers game.

Whitehead's NFL career spans seven seasons, beginning when the Buccaneers drafted him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played a crucial role in the team's Super Bowl victory during the 2020-2021 season, starting every game in both the regular season and playoffs.

Following the 2021-2022 season, Whitehead joined the New York Jets, where he maintained his starting role for two years before returning to Tampa Bay on a two-year contract during the offseason.

Whitehead's car accident follows a similar incident involving Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson, who will also be unavailable for his team's upcoming game.