In 31 games as a Buc, Tom Brady matches Vinny Testaverde's TD total Less than 16 months after taking his first snap as a Buccaneer, Tom Brady already has thrown the third-most touchdown passes in franchise regular-season history. Brady's 4-yard scoring strike to tight end Cameron Brate with 1:19 to play in the first half was his 77th in pewter, tying Vinny Testaverde for the No. 3 spot. Brady reached the total in 31 regular-season contests; Testaverde needed 76 games over six seasons. Josh Freeman (80) ranks second on the franchise list. Jameis Winston owns the franchise record with 121, a plausible (if not practical) goal should Brady choose to play in 2022. Jordan rules Mildly overshadowed by the Bucs' profusion of sacks was Jordan Whitehead's quest for a career afternoon. The fourth-year Bucs safety totaled a team-high six tackles, with three passes defended, including an interception of a first-quarter Cam Newton throw tipped by Shaquil Barrett. Four plays earlier, he made a shoestring tackle of Newton on second and 5, stifling a potential breakaway gain. On consecutive plays in the third, Whitehead stopped Newton for no gain on first down and broke up a Newton throw. His lone blemish: a roughing-the-passer whistle on Sam Darnold in the first half. "I thought Jordan was all over the place today," Bucs coach Bruce Arians said. "Don't jump up and hit the quarterback in the head. Other than that, he had a hell of a ball game. He's healthy and he's playing really, really well." Injury update Based on the initial observations, the latest injury to a Bucs marquee player appears modest. Arians said outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett appeared to suffer a minor right MCL injury while in pursuit of Darnold late in the first half. Barrett walked to the locker room on his own power after the play, albeit with a mild limp. He returned on the second half's opening drive, then exited for good. By the numbers 2.5 Sacks Sunday for defensive lineman William Gholston, who never totaled more than three in a season in his previous eight years in the league. 10.0 Sacks this season by Shaquil Barrett, who forced a Panthers field goal by dropping Darnold at the 11-yard line in the second quarter. 4 Players in Bucs history with multiple seasons of double-digit sacks: Simeon Rice (five), Lee Roy Selmon (four), Warren Sapp (three) and Barrett (two). 32 Career TD receptions for tight end Cameron Brate, surpassing Kevin House for third most in Bucs history. Brate had a 4-yard scoring catch from Brady late in the first half. 41.0 Gross punting average (on three attempts) by Armwood High alumnus Sterling Hofrichter, who stepped in for injured veteran Bradley Pinion (hip). Joey Knight, The Tampa Times, published 27 December 2021