The Bucs can’t seem to catch a break. This time, it's safety Jordan Whitehead who’ll be sidelined after tearing a pectoral muscle during Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. An MRI on Monday confirmed the injury, but here’s the silver lining: no surgery is required, and there’s a chance Whitehead could return later this season—or better yet, for a potential playoff run.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter as Whitehead attempted to tackle Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito on a 17-yard touchdown run. One dive, one awkward spin, and Whitehead immediately ran to the sideline clutching his left shoulder and chest. Now, the team’s leading solo tackler (47) and second in combined tackles (76) is temporarily out of action, adding yet another hurdle to the Bucs’ rocky 2024 season.
The timing, of course, couldn’t be worse. Whitehead has been a crucial piece in Todd Bowles’ defense, one that’s already been struggling this year. To make matters more interesting, the Bucs had just claimed safety Mike Edwards off waivers during their Week 11 bye. Edwards, a familiar face in Tampa, filled in after Whitehead went down and will likely take on a larger role moving forward. No pressure, right?
If you’re sensing déjà vu, it’s because Whitehead has been here before. Remember the 2020 NFC Championship game? Whitehead tore his labrum but still suited up for the Super Bowl, rocking a shoulder harness and helping deliver Tampa Bay its first title in nearly two decades. Now, after returning to the Bucs this offseason on a two-year, $9 million deal, Whitehead’s toughness and leadership are being tested again.
For now, the Bucs will hold their breath, hope for a speedy recovery, and pray their injury luck doesn’t get any worse. But hey, at least this team knows how to make things dramatic.
The Bucs can’t seem to catch a break. This time, it's safety Jordan Whitehead who’ll be sidelined after tearing a pectoral muscle during Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. An MRI on Monday confirmed the injury, but here’s the silver lining: no surgery is required, and there’s a chance Whitehead could return later this season—or better yet, for a potential playoff run.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter as Whitehead attempted to tackle Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito on a 17-yard touchdown run. One dive, one awkward spin, and Whitehead immediately ran to the sideline clutching his left shoulder and chest. Now, the team’s leading solo tackler (47) and second in combined tackles (76) is temporarily out of action, adding yet another hurdle to the Bucs’ rocky 2024 season.
The timing, of course, couldn’t be worse. Whitehead has been a crucial piece in Todd Bowles’ defense, one that’s already been struggling this year. To make matters more interesting, the Bucs had just claimed safety Mike Edwards off waivers during their Week 11 bye. Edwards, a familiar face in Tampa, filled in after Whitehead went down and will likely take on a larger role moving forward. No pressure, right?
If you’re sensing déjà vu, it’s because Whitehead has been here before. Remember the 2020 NFC Championship game? Whitehead tore his labrum but still suited up for the Super Bowl, rocking a shoulder harness and helping deliver Tampa Bay its first title in nearly two decades. Now, after returning to the Bucs this offseason on a two-year, $9 million deal, Whitehead’s toughness and leadership are being tested again.
For now, the Bucs will hold their breath, hope for a speedy recovery, and pray their injury luck doesn’t get any worse. But hey, at least this team knows how to make things dramatic.
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