Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead out with concussion

TAMPA — Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead missed Wednesday’s practice and was listed on the team’s injury report as having a concussion, adding another injury to a beleaguered Bucs defense.

Whitehead, who has started in five of the last seven games since Chris Conte went down with an injury, played 53 snaps in Sunday’s 38-35 loss to the Giants.

The rookie was second on the team with eight tackles, including one for a loss, but missed most of the fourth quarter.

The Bucs are already short at safety with Conte having been out since September and Justin Evans missing Sunday’s game with a toe injury.

The team just signed defensive back Josh Shaw, who primarily played safety and nickel back with the Chiefs before he was released last week. If Whitehead and Evans are unable to play, Shaw could potentially fill in at the safety spots along with Isaiah Johnson and Andrew Adams.

Evans, linebacker Lavonte David (knee) and cornerback M.J. Stewart (foot), all of whom sat Sunday, did not participate in practice Wednesday as the team’s on-field week of preparation began.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (knee/shoulder/hand) didn’t practice Wednesday, though he’s missed early practices in recent weeks and still played.

Defensive end Vinny Curry (ankle) and running back Ronald Jones (hamstring), both returned to practice on Wednesday after missing last week’s game against the Giants.

Receiver DeSean Jackson (thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, as were offensive linemen Demar Dotson (knee/shoulder) and Ryan Jensen (hamstring) and long snapped Garrison Sanborn.

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at [email protected] Follow @EddieInTheYard.