James White is Expected to Miss the Rest of the Season
Steven Senne. Shutterstock Images.This is by no means the most shocking news. Once you saw James White slow to get up on Sunday, this seemed to be likely outcome of his season. And once the commercial break was over and you saw him sitting on the cart, it felt inevitable.
So while it’s not a surprise, there are a few things that could be more disappointing. Or depressing. After last season, when he hit free agency, it seemed like a given that he would be signed elsewhere, most likely Miami. After losing his father in a Florida car accident last year that almost claimed the life of his mother, most of us just assumed he'd leave to be closer to home. So when the Patriots re-signed him instead, it was a hugely positive development. A giant piece of the puzzle coming back to them. One of the best 3rd down backs in the history of a team that's had some of the great ones. A clutch performer. And one of the best leaders you could hope for on a rebuilding team in desperate need of continuity.
So it's a tough break all around. For White. For a team that really needs his veteran presence. But also for the young QB they're trying to develop. Like I said after the Jets game:
Maybe the fact that [Mac] Jones ended up with barely over 6.0 yards per attempt is a reflection of the kids' fondness for relying on James White. You could make a lot worse decisions than that, as White was the best player on the field for either team. That 28-yard screen being a prime example, as he did a great job of patiently allowing Onwenu and Mason get set in front of him to plow the road, then burst out ahead of them when he had open field to work with. …
The Patriots red zone game is a problem. The drive that ended with White's touchdown being the rare exception. That one was set up with White's inside zone run that went for seven. Followed immediately by this gem, on a counter run:
With White out, the immediate issue becomes who replaces him as their pass-catching back. Damien Harris has been active in the passing game, but a liability in blitz pickup (Pro Football Focus has him graded as the 11th worst pass blocker among RBs, with opponents able to apply pressure on 16.2% of attempts) on a team that is getting blitzed the second most in the league. It seems like JJ Taylor is being groomed to be White's heir apparent, but is 5-foot-6 and only a part time player right now. And while Rhamondre Stevenson caught some passes in preseason, a 245-pound power back doesn't exactly fit the stereotype. Not to mention the fact he's in the solitary confinement hole underneath Ivan Fears' doghouse since he fumbled in Week 1. So stay tuned.
As far as White's career, I won't presume it's the end of the line. That'll keep until February or March. Then we'll do all the tributes he deserves. Instead for now, let's just pay tribute to LEGO James White. The one with the clunky plastic Sweet Feet. And hope.
