Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions already lost one linebacker in free agency, and it appears that they're on the verge of losing another.

Tahir Whitehead, who has made 23 starts the last two seasons at middle and outside linebacker, is scheduled to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today.

Whitehead took over as the Lions' starting middle linebacker after Stephen Tulloch tore his ACL early in the 2014 season.

He began last season on the bench, with Tulloch back in the lineup, but started the final eight games at outside linebacker and helped the Lions to a 6-2 finish.

Whitehead's benching -- Travis Lewis and Josh Bynes started in his place -- never was adequately explained by the Lions, who struggled covering short passing routes in his absence.

Just 25, Whitehead said after the season that he prefers to play middle linebacker.

Lewis, a 2012 NFL draft classmate of Whitehead, agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, and the Lions are expected to cut Tulloch this week.

The Lions return DeAndre Levy, Bynes and Kyle Van Noy as their linebackers and are in the market for help at the position in free agency.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett.

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