Patriots Lose Running Back James White to Injury

The New England Patriots dropped to 1-2 in the season after a 28-13 loss at home to the New Orleans Saints. The lost might have been more costly to the team than a single loss in the standings after running back James White needed to be carted off the field with an injury.

Just a little over a quarter into the game, White took a handoff and darted around the left end for a six-yard gain before being tackled by Demario Davis.  White rolled over and grabbed his right hip, in obvious pain.  While the team gathered around White, he was carted off the field for X-rays.  Coach Bill Belichick saw White during the halftime intermission. However, even after the game there was no update on White, just a word from Belichick saying, “we’ll see.”

Seven-year veteran center David Andrews noted how this is the tough part of the game, losing a guy like White that gives 100 percent to the team. Captain Devin McCourty, a 34-year-old safety who has played his entire career with the Patriots, indicated that he knew the injury was serious when he saw the cart come on to the field. 

White’s numbers may seem modest on the surface with only 38 yards rushing on 10 carries. In fact, he’s never reached 100 carries or more than 425 yards rushing in any season. However, he’s one of the top third-down running backs in the NFL who is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. White is second on the Patriots with 12 receptions this season. For his career, White has two seasons with at least 70 receptions and has 381 receptions and 25 receiving touchdowns.

How valuable has White been out of the backfield?  His yards receiving, receptions, and receiving touchdowns are the most by any running back in the league since the start of the 2015 season. Without White, the Patriots inserted Brandon Bolden, who has played eight of his nine seasons with the Patriots. He’s a capable backup, who has caught 62 passes and rushed for 1025 during his career.

White is currently listed as questionable for next week’s contest against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at home. Should White be unable to go, that means the Patriots will have to find alternative methods on third down. Bolden will see some targets, but he clearly isn’t the threat that White is. Running back J.J. Taylor, who has three receptions this season or wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who has only one catch for 16 yards, may need to step up.

Should the injury be long term, the Patriots may have to look elsewhere for a solution at the third-down back position. There aren’t many options on the practice squad. In fact, the only backfield member on the practice squad is 22-year-old fullback Ben Mason, who was selected by the Ravens in the past draft but was cut during training camp.  He’s projected as a short-yardage back and blocker, but not a receiver out of the backfield.

After the game against the Buccaneers, the Patriots have a little bit easier road, playing on the road against the Texans, and then at home against the Cowboys and Jets. The Patriots may just make it through this stretch unscathed without White, should he miss time with the latest injury.