Whitehead (ribs) is active for Sunday's game versus the Lions, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.
Whitehead has started nine games at middle linebacker this season, but he hasn't logged more than 60 percent of the defensive snaps in a game since Week 2. As a result, he may fall short of 100 tackles for the first time since the 2015 season, as he's averaging 4.9 stops per game.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tahir Whitehead: Limited Thursday
Rotowire
Whitehead (ribs) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Whitehead's rib injury kept him from practicing Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see him participating in at least limited fashion Thursday. However, the veteran linebacker has now been held below 50 percent of defensive snaps in back-to-back games, so he'll be difficult to trust for fantasy purposes even if he does suit up against the Lions on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Tahir Whitehead: Recovers fumble in win
Rotowire
Whitehead made seven tackles (two solo) and recovered a fumble in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Chargers.
Whitehead scooped up a Brian Burns-forced fumble and ran 20 yards into Chargers territory to ultimately set up a field goal during the first quarter. The veteran also pitched in with regular tackling involvement over the course of Sunday's game, bringing his tally to 19 stops thus far. That mark trails only Jeremy Chinn and Shaq Thompson for Carolina's team lead through three weeks.
... See More... See Less
Tahir Whitehead: Cut loose by Raiders
Rotowire
Whitehead was released by the Raiders on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Per Yates, this move clears up nearly $6 million dollars in cap space for the Raiders. A productive veteran, Whitehead figures to have a market in free agency after recording over 100 tackles for the fourth straight year in 2019.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Tahir Whitehead: Stacks up 14 stops
Rotowire
Whitehead tallied 14 tackles (eight solo) in Thursday's 26-24 win over the Chargers.
White has a team-leading 71 stops through nine games, putting him comfortably on track for his fourth consecutive season north of 100 tackles. The veteran linebacker will enjoy an extended rest and look to pick up where he left off in a Week 11 home tilt against the Bengals.
... See More... See Less
Raiders' Tahir Whitehead: Racks up nine stops
Rotowire
Whitehead accrued nine tackles (eight solo) Monday in the Raiders' 27-14 win over the Broncos.
Whitehead has been one of the more consistent tacklers all season for the Raiders, recording at least six stops in all but two of his 15 games this season. While that gives him a solid weekly floor as an IDP option, the linebacker has rarely produced any big plays to supplement his tackle totals. He has yet to record a sack this season and has produced only two turnovers (one forced fumble, one interception).
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Leads Lions in tackles in 2017
Rotowire
Whitehead accrued 110 tackles, one sack, two PBUs, one interception and four fumble recoveries across 16 games in 2017.
Whitehead's role increased as the year went on with rookie first-rounder Jarrad Davis proving to be a liability in pass coverage. While Whitehead wasn't necessarily a huge upgrade in that department, the veteran certainly made his presence felt in the ground game considering he finished the year as Pro Football Focus' 12th-highest graded linebacker against the run and led the Lions in tackles. He's now logged triple-digit tackle numbers in each of the past two years, but he'll now be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year and is far from certain to return to Detroit in 2018.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Listed as questionable
Rotowire
Whitehead (pectoral) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Carolina.
Whitehead logged 53 of 56 defensive snaps in a Week 4 win over the Vikings, finishing with five tackles and two fumble recoveries in a game Jarrad Davis (neck) missed. Whitehead and Davis were limited practice participants all week, leaving it unclear whether the Lions will have both (or neither) available for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Should be OK
Rotowire
Head coach Jim Caldwell implied Whitehead (knee) isn't dealing with a serious injury, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News reports.
Lions fans can exhale, as Whitehead truly dodged a bullet if he doesn't need to miss extended time. However, it isn't clear if he'll be ready in time for Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Still rehabbing injury
Rotowire
Whitehead (undisclosed) is still rehabbing this week but is making good progress, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
The back is also dealing with some personal issues at the moment, which may lead to an absence during minicamp. Nonetheless, head coach Jim Caldwell is happy with the progress the linebacker is making after not participating in OTAs due to an undisclosed injury.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Expected to compete for starting outside linebacker role
Rotowire
Whitehead will potentially start at outside linebacker for the Lions in 2017 with first-round pick Jarrad Davis slated to play middle linebacker, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Whitehead is in the final year of his contract in Detroit after racking up a career-high 132 tackles in 2016. Despite logging double-digit tackles in nine games last year, the team was expected to bring in competition at linebacker, which came in the form of Davis during the draft.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Questionable to play
Rotowire
Whitehead (knee) is questionable to play Sunday against the Saints.
Although Whitehead was limited in every practice this week, it should be acknowledged the NFL's sixth-leading tackler hasn't missed a single game this season. Nonetheless, we'll confirm his availability prior to kickoff.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Leads team in tackles
Rotowire
Whitehead accumulated 10 total tackles and two deflected passes in the Lions' 39-35 victory over the Colts on Sunday.
Both his tackle total and PD total led the team. If fact, his two pass deflections were a game-high. Ultimately, though, Whitehead appears locked-in as the Lions' starting middle linebacker and figures to lead the team in tackles most weeks going forward. However, it may be overly optimistic to expect him to continue swatting down passes at the clip he exhibited Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Re-signs with Lions
Rotowire
The Lions and Whitehead agreed to terms of a two-year contract Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
For the second season in a row, Whitehead received at least 50 percent of the Lions' defensive snaps in 2015, which he turned into 51 tackles (including two sacks), one interception, and one fumble recovery in 16 games. With DeAndre Levy (hip) expected to be healthy in the fall, Whitehead will likely man the other outside linebacker spot on most downs.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Tahir Whitehead: Records eight tackles and a sack
Rotowire
Whitehead notched eight tackles (seven solo) and a sack in Sunday's win over the Packers.
Whitehead was very impressive on Sunday as he helped the Lions' defense shut down a prolific Packers' offense in Green Bay, which ultimately led to a victory. Whitehead recorded his first sack of the season on a day where he put up by far his best numbers of the season. The fourth-year linebacker won't hold a ton of IDP value moving forward, but he could be good for a solid game or two like this every once in awhile.
... See More... See Less
Lions LB Tahir Whitehead bulking up to improve against run
Rotowire
Lions third-year linebacker Tahir Whitehead is trying to maximize his run-stopping ability, so he spent time in the offseason trying to maximize his weight without sacrificing quickness. The result was a gain of seven poinds to 245.
Whitehead was provided an opportunity to play last year when Stephen Tulloch went down three games in. But Tulluch has since recovered, which results in Whitehead competing with Kyle Van Noy for the starting strongside job.
He certainly proved his worth in 2014. Whitehead racked up 12 tackles in his first start a year ago and finished the season with 86 as a full-time starter. But despite statistics that motivated Pro Football Focus to grade him out positively against the run, he felt he needed to put on some weight.
"Watching back last season, sometimes in the run game, I wasn't as sturdy as I could have been," he told MLive.com. "I bulked up a bit to be more stout against the run."
... See More... See Less
Stephen Tulloch to be starting MLB when he returns
Rotowire
The Lions' Stephen Tulloch will start at middle linebacker again once he returns from the torn ACL he suffered Week 3 last year, reports MLive.com. "He's highly experienced and highly productive," coach Jim Caldwell told the website. "And he's a great leader."
Tulloch, 30, is progressing well in his rehab, the report said, but it's unclear when he'll return. Tulloch had 135 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2013, his last full season.
Tahir Whitehead likely will fill in until Tulloch returns. Whitehead had 86 tackles and two interceptions last year.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Don Carey, Tahir Whitehead return to action Sunday
Rotowire
Lions strong safety Don Carey and linebacker Tahir Whitehead both returned to Sunday's Wild Card game against the Cowboys after being deemed questionable in the third quarter.
Both players were diagnosed with dehydration, but both were able to make it back onto the field before the end of the third quarter. The Lions have a 20-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Pettigrew, Whitehead, Carey questionable to return Sunday
Rotowire
Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew, linebacker Tahir Whitehead and strong safety Don Carey are questionable to return to Sunday's Wild Card game against the Cowboys, the team announced.
Pettigrew is being evaluated for a concussion. Whitehead and Carey are dealing with dehydration.
... See More... See Less
Lions unveil final injury report for Week 15
Rotowire
Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (knee) was ruled out for Sunday's clash against the Vikings, according to the team's final injury report released on Friday. Running back Reggie Bush (ankle) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (shoulder) were deemed questionable.
Meanwhile, linebacker Josh Bynes (illness), safety James Ihedigbo (illness), defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (illness), wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle), cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) and tackle LaAdrian Waddle (concussion) were ruled probable for Week 15.
