TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a major blow as safety Jordan Whitehead was sidelined following a car accident Saturday. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, Whitehead will miss their crucial matchup against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
The organization officially placed Whitehead on the reserve/non-football injury list, allowing the promotion of safety Ryan Neal from the practice squad to make up for the absence.
This season, Whitehead has been a key contributor, accumulating 79 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack through 12 games. He was previously sidelined for four games with a pectoral injury and was optimistic about returning to the field against New Orleans.
A win or tie against the Saints would allow the Buccaneers to secure their fourth straight NFC South title, or they could also advance with a Falcons loss or tie against Carolina.
IN BRIEF
- CHARGERS : The Los Angeles Chargers activated safety Alohi Gilman from the injured list on Saturday.
- CHIEFS : The Kansas City Chiefs finally left Kansas City International Airport for their game in Denver on Saturday, after being stranded on the tarmac for about four hours due to an ice storm in the area, with a snowstorm at the horizon.
In other news, the Green Bay Packers have placed cornerback Jaire Alexander on injured reserve due to a knee issue that has kept him sidelined for the last six games. The Packers absolutely must win this week, hoping for a defeat by Washington to avoid starting the playoffs in Philadelphia.
What’s at stake in Week 18
AFC
The last wild card spot: Denver qualifies with a victory against Kansas City; Miami advances with a win against the New York Jets if Denver loses; and Cincinnati continues if Denver and Miami lose.
Positioning: The LA Chargers can clinch 5th place with a victory against Las Vegas.
NFC
Minnesota at Detroit: The winner gets 1st place, while the loser secures 5th place.
NFC South: Tampa Bay wins its division with a victory against New Orleans or a defeat of Atlanta; Atlanta must win against Carolina and hope for a Tampa Bay loss.
Positioning: LA Rams can secure 3rd place with a win or if Tampa Bay loses; Washington secures 6th place with a victory or a defeat for Green Bay.
