Return date uncertain.

So Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead had a pec injury of some sort against the Giants. Was it torn? That was the initial diagnosis.

However. after Whitehead had his MRI tests returned, the Bucs learned Whitehead wouldn’t need surgery. At least not yet.

So Whitehead hopes to be able to play through his injury after an undetermined amount of weeks off.

On Wednesday, Joe asked Todd Bowles if he had a guesstimate how long Whitehead would need to get back on the field and if he can play effectively with one wing.

“I don’t know [what] my estimate is because some people come back quicker, and some people stay out longer,” Bowles replied. “I just try to hear what the trainers tell me and listen to how he progresses.

“When he’s out there, I’ll be happy. That’s the best I can tell you.”

A torn (?) pec is damn painful. If people remember the play Whitehead immediately ran off the field and almost right away the Bucs announced he would not return.

When a negative injury report is issued that quickly, you know it is a bad injury.

So Whitehead is going to try to gut it out, whenever that is. That, friends, is a warrior. And Bowles acknowledged Whitehead is a tough hombre.

“Some people can play through injuries but it’s a significant injury for him, unfortunately,” Bowles said. “Jordan is tough – he’s one of the toughest guys we’ve got. If he can get back, he’s going to get back.”

Joe has wondered if the Bucs have buyer’s remorse with Whitehead returning in free agency. He isn’t the same player who helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl four years ago. There were a couple of plays where Joe wondered about Whitehead’s effort.

But if Whitehead plays with a messed up pec, that’s real-man, warrior stuff. Any doubt of effort in Joe’s mind is out the window if Whitehead plays through that.