Bucs’ Whitehead in accident, won’t play Sunday

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 undergoing tests.

The team said he will miss Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints and is placing him on the reserve/non-football injury list. Tampa Bay 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 Whitehead immediately to provide support.

In Week 12, Whitehead suffered a partially torn pectoral injury, and he 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 he suffered 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.