Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead has been sidelined due to injuries sustained in a car accident, ruling him out for the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints. The team has officially placed Whitehead on the reserve/non-football injury list, prompting them to sign safety Ryan Neal from their practice squad to fill the gap.

Whitehead had been a key player for the Buccaneers, amassing 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit across 12 games this season. His absence is particularly notable as he was expected to return from a previous pectoral injury that had already kept him out for four games.

As the Buccaneers prepare for this critical matchup, they have the opportunity to clinch their fourth consecutive NFC South title with a win or tie against the Saints, or if the Atlanta Falcons fail to secure a victory against the Carolina Panthers.