The Indianapolis Colts worked out veteran safety Jordan Whitehead, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
Whitehead missed the 2025 season due to a car accident in Tampa on Jan. 4, 2025 that caused a cervical fracture in his neck, according to published reports. Whitehead has been cleared to resume his football career following neck surgery, according to the report.
According to published reports, Whitehead, driving a Corvette, was involved in the accident less than a mile from the Buccaneers’ practice facility and cited for careless driving.
“It was tough because Jordan — ever since I’ve been here, the six years I’ve been here, he’s never been late. He’s never been in any trouble, he’s a model citizen,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said at the time. “He’s the guy that helps everybody else and it was very unfortunate for that to happen. … It was kind of reality shock for us of how some things can be taken away from you at a moment’s notice. We discussed it last night in the meeting — we talked about it.
“When you love somebody, they’re going to make a mistake. And you have to understand that, and you have to love them anyway. He would’ve played for us, and we’re going to play for him.”
Whitehead was a fourth-round draft pick by the Buccaneers in 2018 and was a four-year starter then returned to the team in 2024, making 371 tackles, including 24 for loss and 2.5 sacks, defending 29 passes with 5 interceptions. He signed with the New York Jets in 2019 for two seasons, starting all 34 games he appeared in with 186 tackles, 7 for loss, 6 interceptions and 17 passes defensed.
The Colts have spent the offseason accumulating depth at safety, drafting A.J. Haulcy in the third round, and signing Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens; with starter Cam Bynum returning. Hunter Wohlers is returning after missing his rookie season.
Bynum and Haulcy are projected to be the starters, but Whitehead would give the team a veteran with a track record of success.
Whitehead also worked out for the Houston Texans and is expected to meet with more teams, according to the report.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts work out Super Bowl champion safety ahead of training camp
Reporting by Nat Newell, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nat Newell, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
