First, his dog was kidnapped and held for ransom. Then, he was released by the Dallas Cowboys a week later after a Virginia judge issued an arrest warrant for him on a shoplifting charge when he didn’t appear in court. It was a case of mistaken identity, admitted by the Woodbridge, Va. police.
Lucky Whitehead, a third-year punt and kick-off returner signed by Dallas, undrafted in 2015, was then picked up by the New York Jets, claimed on waivers after the Cowboys quick, unsubstantiated rush to judgement.
“I’m just happy to get an opportunity to start over,” said Whitehead at the start of the Jets’ training camp two weeks ago, getting a clean slate. Whitehead’s streak of bad luck had changed.
Fast forward to Tuesday, just two days ago when it was announced by the Jets that Whitehead, the team’s most experienced punt and kickoff returner, would be out indefinitely with a broken left foot sustained Monday during practice.
“I don’t know if he’s out for the year, but I know he’s out for a little while,” said head coach Todd Bowles about Whitehead, now sporting crutches and a walking boot. It’s unclear for now if surgery is required. It’s also unclear if the Jets will look to acquire a replacement, given Whitehead’s injury. “We still got a couple guys we want to look at, and then, as we get down in it, if we don’t see what we want, we’ll look for one,” said Bowles.
Whitehead returned two punts for 10 yards, and one kickoff for 23 in the Jets’ low-scoring, 7-3, preseason home opener against the Tennessee Titans Saturday. It was the beginning of the Jets finding their way through a season that looks uncertain. What is certain is that Whitehead will watch from the sidelines for now, as the Jets play on the road in Detroit against the Lions Saturday night and prepare for their MetLife Stadium co-tenants, the New York Giants the following week, and the upcoming season beginning next month, September.
