Just two days ahead of training camp, the Bucs have placed starting safety Jordan Whitehead on the COVID/reserve list. The move leaves them thin at safety, after Curtis Riley was waived yesterday with a torn Achilles. The veteran safety reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers.

Whitehead started all 20 games for the Bucs in 2020, finishing the season playing 83 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. In his best pro campaign, Whitehead added 74 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and nine tackles-for-loss. The fourth-year safety shouldn’t be in danger of missing more than a couple weeks of practice, although it is unclear when Whitehead will be allowed to return to the facility.

The Bucs now have two open spots to fill for their 90-man roster. Training camp begins on Sunday, with the team’s first preseason tilt scheduled for August 14 against Cincinnati.

This new reserve list category was created last season for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, his club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.