White has announced his retirement from the NFL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 30-year-old, whom the Patriots took in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, had been working his way back from a significant hip injury this summer, but he's now decided to end his playing career. Through much of his tenure with the franchise, White was a reliable change-of-pace back, and now that he's no longer in New England's backfield mix, players such as Pierre Strong and Ty Montgomery could see added opportunities to contribute as pass-catching backs this coming season.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Timetable for return TBD
Rotowire
The Patriots aren't putting a timeline on White's (hip) return to practice, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.
The veteran change-of-pace option, who is working his way back from right hip surgery, opened training camp on the Patriots' active/PUP list. Though the team still has some time to evaluate White's progress in the coming weeks, Howe suggests that it's possible the 30-year-old could remain on the PUP list to start the season. If that comes to pass, White would be in line to miss at least four games. In such a scenario, the team would be forced to get creative in terms of filling the pass-catching void in the backfield, with Pierre Strong and Rhamondre Stevenson among the players who could be candidates to pick up added targets.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Starts training camp on PUP list
Rotowire
White (hip) will open training camp on the Patriots' active/PUP list, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
White's placement on the list isn't much of a surprise as he continues to bounce back from right hip surgery. The veteran change-of-pace back can return to practice at any time during training camp, but at this stage it isn't clear when White will be ready to work fully. In the meantime, returnee J.J. Taylor along with a pair of rookie draft choices, Pierre Strong (fourth round) and Kevin Harris (sixth round), are available to handle practice reps behind top early down-options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Still working back from hip injury
Rotowire
ESPN's Mike Reiss relays that White, who continues to bounce back from right hip surgery, was walking with what appeared to be an uncomfortable gait after a recent community appearance.
The report adds that the running back is among the Patriots' players bouncing back from injuries scheduled to report to training camp next week. At that time, there should be added clarity with regard to how close White is to full strength, but it's likely he'll face initial limitations in practice. Assuming the 30-year-old avoids any setbacks, he'll look to reclaim his change-of-pace role in a New England backfield that also includes top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, as well as returnee J.J. Taylor and a pair of rookie draft choices in Pierre Strong (fourth round) and Kevin Harris (sixth round).
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Remains limited at minicamp
Rotowire
White (hip) was limited during Wednesday's minicamp practice, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
White underwent season-ending hip surgery last season, so while the running back is limited, his presence at minicamp is still a positive sign. If the veteran is able to avoid any setbacks this summer, he'll likely reclaim his change-of-pace role for New England to start the 2022 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Limited at OTAs
Rotowire
White (hip) has been a limited participant in the Patriots' OTAs, which started Monday, Jeff Howe
of The Athletic reports.
White is bouncing back from season-ending hip surgery and previously noted he still has a ways to go in his recovery, so it's not surprising that he remains limited at this stage. That said, his presence at the team's OTAs, in any capacity, is a positive sign. In the absence of any setbacks this summer, While will look to reclaim his change-of-pace role in New England's backfield ahead of Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Back on the field
Rotowire
White (hip) was spotted on the field during the Patriots' voluntary offseason workouts this week, NESN's Zack Cox reports.
White is bouncing back from season-ending hip surgery and previously noted that he still has a ways to go in his recovery, but his presence on the field nonetheless is an encouraging sign. It remains to be seen, however, how much (if at all) he'll participate in the team's upcoming full-squad OTAs. Assuming no setbacks this summer, White will look to reclaim his pass-catching role in a deep New England backfield that added Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris in the 2022 NFL Draft.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Bouncing back from hip issue
Rotowire
White (hip) isn't expected to be ready for the Patriots' upcoming voluntary offseason workouts, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports. "I still have a little while to go [after] a pretty rough injury," White acknowledged after the 2022 NFL Draft.
It remains to be seen when the veteran change-of-pace back will be fully cleared, but in the meantime added opportunities behind top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will be available for draftees Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, as well as returnee J.J. Taylor. Assuming he reproves his health in advance of Week 1, White is poised to reclaim his pass-catching role in New England's backfield, but considering the team's depth on that front, the 30-year-old may be hard-pressed to log the sort of target volume he did when he operated as a key safety valve for former New England QB Tom Brady.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Back with Patriots
Rotowire
White (hip) has agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Patriots, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.
The 30-year-old is reportedly recovering well from season-ending hip surgery, and now that he's back in the fold, the 2014 fourth-rounder is poised to reclaim his change-of-pace role in New England's backfield. In that capacity, White should yield a degree of PPR utility in 2022 while working alongside top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
White is "doing great" after his 2021 season was abbreviated due to a hip subluxation that required surgery Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports.
Prior to getting hurt after just six offensive snaps in the Pats' Week 3 matchup with the Saints, White gathered in 12 of 14 targets for 94 yards, averaged 3.8 yards on 10 carries and had one rushing touchdown. The seven-year pro is a soon-to-be free agent, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks with the only organization he's known. Currently, the Patriots have Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor and Devine Ozigbo locked into their backfield for 2022.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Limited to three games in 2021
Rotowire
White (hip) finished the 2021 season with 10 carries for 38 yards and a rushing touchdown to go along with 12 catches (on 14 targets) for 94 yards in three games.
White opened the season in his usual change-of-pace role, but a hip subluxation that the running back suffered in Week 3 landed him on IR. The 2014 fourth-rounder, who turns 30 on Feb. 3, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after having signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last March. Brandon Bolden, who absorbed a large portion of White's expected workload this past season, is also a pending unrestricted free agent, so it remains to be seen who will be joining New England's top early-down options Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson in the team's 2022 backfield, but it's plausible that White will be brought back to reclaim a complementary role, provided he fully recovers from his hip issue.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Placed on IR
Rotowire
White (hip) has been placed on IR by the Patriots.
The move isn't surprising after it was reported that the hip subluxation White suffered in this past Sunday's game against the Saints was expected to be a season-ending injury. With White now out of the Patriots' backfield picture, look for Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor to absorb a good chunk of White's change-of-pace duties behind lead back Damien Harris, while rookie Rhamondre Stevenson (a healthy scratch in two straight contests) is a candidate to be active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Hip injury likely season-ending
Rotowire
The hip subluxation that White suffered in Sunday's loss to the Saints is expected to be season-ending, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Look for the veteran pass-catching back to land on injured reserve in the coming days, while the Patriots will now scramble to replace one of the team's most reliable players for the long haul. In his absence, look for Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor to absorb a portion of White's change-of-pace duties, while Rhamondre Stevenson is a candidate to be active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, following back-to-back healthy scratches.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Multi-week absence expected
Rotowire
White suffered a subluxation of the hip Week 3 against the Saints and will be out indefinitely, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport adds that White is undergoing further testing, but the receiving back likely will have to go on IR, which would entail an absence no shorter than three weeks. White almost certainly will miss Sunday's game against the Buccaneers and additional time on top of that.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Finds paydirt in easy win
Rotowire
White rushed five times for 20 yards and a touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 45 yards in Sunday's 25-6 win over the Jets.
White split backfield duties with Damien Harris, who compiled 62 rushing yards and a touchdown. The veteran receiving back showed that he can still be a threat on the ground as well, waltzing into the end zone from seven yards out to give New England a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. White also ended up leading the team in receiving yards as rookie quarterback Mac Jones dinked and dunked to avoid mistakes. His usage as both a rusher and a receiver keeps White involved regardless of game script, and he's topped 60 scrimmage yards in both games heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Saints.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Active in receiving game
Rotowire
White tallied six receptions on seven targets for 49 yards in Sunday's Week 1 loss to Miami. He added four rushes for 12 yards.
White served his expected role primarily as a receiver out of the backfield. He tied for the team lead with six receptions, often becoming involved as a checkdown option for Mac Jones. However, he was also seemingly targeted on designed plays, as he connected with Jones for a 26-yard reception deep down the field -- the team's longest gain through the air on the day. Though White won't project to fill a typical role as a back, he appears to have safe volume as one of Jones' favorite targets.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Looks to click with new QB
Rotowire
White reportedly showed good chemistry with new starting QB Mac Jones in training camp, Mike Dussault of the Patriots' official site reports.
White's coming off a 2020 campaign in which he recorded 35 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 49 catches on 62 targets for 375 yards and a receiving score in 14 games. While those stats were down a bit from recent years, it's plausible that the 29-year could engineer a bounce back in 2021, given his reported rapport with Jones as well as the fact that he'll be operating within an offense that figures to be buoyed by the addition of several new pass catchers. Meanwhile, with Sony Michel no longer in the team's backfield mix, Damien Harris profiles as the preferred option on early downs while rookie fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson and second-year back J.J. Taylor should also factor in as complementary pieces. Still, White remains entrenched as the New England's top change-of-pace back, a context that may not yield abundant carries, but should provide him enough targets to re-emerge as a PPR option.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Two catches Thursday
Rotowire
White was on the field for five snaps on offense in Thursday's 35-0 preseason win over the Eagles, NESN's Zack Cox reports.
In the process, White caught two of his three targets for 13 yards. Meanwhile, presumed top back Damien Harris logged just eight snaps, while Sony Michel, Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor handled the bulk of the team's carries Thursday. White's limited involvement in the contest isn't much of a surprise, however, given that he's a roster lock and remains entrenched in his role as New England's top change-of-pace/pass-catching back heading into the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' James White: Stays with Patriots
Rotowire
White agreed Wednesday with the Patriots on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
White will be returning to New England for an eighth season in 2021 after reaching unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2014, the 29-year-old has established himself as a reliable pass-catching option out of the Patriots' backfield. This past season, White recorded 35 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 49 catches on 62 targets for 375 yards and a receiving score in 14 games. While those numbers were down a bit from recent years, White could see an uptick in production in 2021, given the probability that New England's passing attack will improve due to offseason upgrades in personnel.
... See More... See Less
James White: Likely staying in New England
Rotowire
White is expected to re-sign with New England, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
White has yet to finalize a deal with the Patriots, but he appears set to do so in the near future. The 29-year-old is expected to reprise his role as New England's top pass-catching back, though it's a far less valuable role in the post-Tom Brady era.
