Buccaneers Starting Defender Feared to Have Suffered Season Ending Injury vs. Giants

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost a starting safety for the year.

Sep 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been used to injuries on both sides of the ball, and now, it looks like they'll be dealing with another one after their Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.

Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead exited the game with a pectoral injury late into the contest after helping to stop the Giants at the one-yard line, and per the NFL's Ian Rapoport, he is feared to have torn that pectoral muscle. Should that be the case, as an MRI would confirm, Whitehead would be out for the season.

#Bucs S Jordan Whitehead is feared to have torn his pec, an injury that would end his season, sources say. He’s getting an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

Last week, Tampa claimed S Mike Edwards, who won a Super Bowl ring with them. Now, he’ll provide key help in the secondary. pic.twitter.com/ziU7VmV7Tp

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 25, 2024

So far this year, Whitehead has contributed 78 combined tackles and three passes defended. It's always unfortunate when a starter goes out, but thankfully, Tampa Bay has the depth just in time — the Bucs claimed safety Mike Edwards off of waivers last week, and he made his debut against the New York Giants. Now, he'll be thrust into a starting role for the rest of the season if Whitehead can't play.

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