Whitehead (neck) has been medically cleared of the injuries he sustained in a car accident in January, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following the scary incident back in January, Whitehead is now ready to resume football activities. The 28-year-old was cut by the Buccaneers as a cap casualty in February after starting all 12 games he appeared in last season and recording 79 tackles. The safety has been reliable throughout his career starting each of the last 76 games he's been healthy for, and he'll visit the Falcons on Wednesday in search of his new home.

The Buccaneers informed Whitehead (neck) on Wednesday that his $3.75 million team option for 2025 will be declined, making him an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 12, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tampa Bay will move on from the soon-to-be 28-year-old safety after he started 12 games in 2024 and finished with 79 tackles (49 solo) and three pass breakups. He missed the team's regular-season finale and its loss to the Commanders in the wild-card round due to a neck injury sustained in a car accident, but his availability for the start of the 2025 season doesn't appear to be in any peril.

The injury Whitehead suffered in an automobile accident Saturday is considered neck-related, though the issue is not believed to be a long-term concern, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead sustained the injury while driving to the Buccaneers' practice facility early Saturday and was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list later in the day, bringing an end to his 2024 season. While Whitehead's long-term prognosis is promising, his absence for Week 18 and a potential playoff run is another big hit to an injury-ravaged Tampa Bay secondary. The Buccaneers currently have three other defensive backs on injured reserve and have ruled out starting cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) and starting safety Antoine Winfield (knee) for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Whitehead (undisclosed) was involved in an automobile accident Saturday and was subsequently placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead had just returned from a four-game stint on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury, playing every defensive snap in his return last Sunday versus Carolina. The nature and severity of the injuries the safety suffered in Saturday's accident aren't yet clear, but Stroud reports that Whitehead isn't expected to return this season. Whitehead's health is obviously the most important concern for Tampa Bay, but from a football perspective it's also key to point out that the team is already very thin in the secondary with Antoine Winfield (knee), Christian Izien (pectoral) and Jamel Dean (knee) all also out for Sunday's critical clash against New Orleans. Kaevon Merriweather is likely to step into a starting role in Whitehead's stead.

Whitehead recorded three tackles (two solo) in the Buccaneers' 48-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran safety was making his return after a four-game stay on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury. Whitehead played on all 47 defensive snaps, and although his tackle total tied a season low, the fact he appears fully past his injury is of overriding importance with the Buccaneers still harboring playoff hopes.

Whitehead (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Whitehead was activated off injured reserve Saturday and will suit up Sunday for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury against the Giants in Week 12. He should replace Mike Edwards in the starting lineup at safety, but Whitehead may face some limitations during his return. Over 11 appearances this season, Whitehead has recorded 76 tackles (47 solo) and three pass defenses.

The Buccaneers activated Whitehead (pectoral) off injured reserve Saturday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead has been on injured reserve during the Bucs' last four games due to a pectoral injury that he suffered in Week 12 against the Giants. He was a full participant in practice all week, and while he remains questionable to play against the Panthers on Sunday, his activation off IR indicates that he is on track to play. If Whitehead is indeed active, he would reclaim his starting spot at strong safety while Mike Edwards reverts to a depth role.

Whitehead (pectoral) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead has missed Tampa Bay's last four games due to a pectoral injury but appears poised to return for Sunday's divisional matchup after practicing in full throughout the week. However, the 27-year-old remains on injured reserve and must still be added to the active roster in order to play in Week 17. If Whitehead is forced to miss his fifth consecutive game Sunday, expect Mike Edwards to serve as the Buccaneers' starting strong safety.

Whitehead (pectoral) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead ruptured his pectoral muscle during the Buccaneers' Week 12 win over the Giants, which prompted Tampa Bay to place the veteran safety on injured reserve in late November. Whitehead's 21-day practice window to return from IR opened Tuesday, and while Wednesday's report was an estimate, it's an encouraging sign that he was listed as a full participant. His practice participation over the next two days will provide clarity on his chances of returning from IR and playing against the Panthers on Sunday.

Whitehead (pectoral) was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitehead landed on IR in late November due to a ruptured pec, and he's since missed the required four games. It's not yet clear if he'll be activated ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Carolina, though that could certainly happen if the veteran safety is able to ramp up enough in practice this week. Prior to getting hurt, Whitehead started Tampa Bay's first 11 games of the campaign and tallied 76 tackles (47 solo) along with three defensed passes.