James White RB FA Sat 1/13/18 11:18 AM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is expected to play in Saturday's playoff tilt against the Titans, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
White has not suited up since Week 15 due to an ankle injury, so he has now had three full weeks to recover. At the time of his injury White was only a bit role with the offense, but ith Rex Burkhead (knee) and Mike Gillislee (knee) expected to be sidelined, he could potentially play a key role in the Patriots' game plan.
James White RB FA Thu 1/11/18 3:46 PM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff game against the Titans after logging a limited practice Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
We'd expect White, who last suited up on Dec. 17, to return to the Patriots' backfield mix this weekend. If that's the case, he'd be working behind Dion Lewis, though if White's ankle holds up okay, he'd figure to reclaim his role as a trusted pass-catching option (for QB Tom Brady) out of the the team's backfield. Rex Burkhead (knee) and Mike Gillislee (knee) are also listed as questionable for the contest, but at least one of that duo figures to suit up Saturday. In such a committee context, White profiles as a speculative play in postseason PPR formats.
James White RB FA Tue 1/9/18 6:27 PM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) limited in Tuesday's practice.
EDGE Analysis
On the heels of two absences at the end of the regular season and the Patriots' first-round bye, White nonetheless is getting eased into action due to a lingering ankle injury. He joins fellow running back Rex Burkhead as a limited participant in the first practice of the divisional round, steps ahead of Mike Gillislee (knee), who was a DNP. Behind starter Dion Lewis, there should be some room of reps out of the backfield, but it remains to be seen if White or Burkhead will be the beneficiary in what is notoriously a matchup-dependent game script in New England. The preceding assumes White and/or Burkhead emerge from the week of prep ready to play Saturday versus the Titans.
James White RB FA Mon 1/8/18 2:01 PM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is expects to be ready to play Saturday in the Patriots' divisional-round matchup with the Titans, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
White was inactive for the Patriots' final two regular-season contests due to the ankle injury, but it appears the team's first-round bye during the playoffs provided sufficient time for the running back to heal up. After scoring the game-winning touchdown and catching 14 passes in the Patriots' Super Bowl LI victory over Atlanta, White should have a role in the team's game plan Saturday as New England continues its quest for a repeat. However, the reliability lead back Dion Lewis has shown over the last several weeks in addition to the expected return of fellow reserve Rex Burkhead (knee) from his own injury could result in the Patriots relying less heavily on White than they did last postseason.
James White RB FA Sun 12/31/17 11:45 AM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.
EDGE Analysis
With Rex Burkhead (knee) and Mike Gillislee (knee) also out Sunday, Dion Lewis is in line to head the Patriots' Week 17 backfield, with versatile Brandon Bolden on hand to work in a complementary/backup role.
James White RB FA Sun 12/31/17 8:28 AM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, isn't expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
EDGE Analysis
If Schefter's report proves accurate, the Patriots will be without three running backs in Week 17, as Rex Burkhead (knee) and Mike Gillislee (knee) have already been ruled out. Those absences could leave Dion Lewis in store for a three-down workload Sunday, with Brandon Bolden, who typically makes his biggest impact on special teams, acting as the top complement in the backfield. With the Patriots needing a win to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, look for Lewis to take on the overwhelming share of the snaps, assuming the game remains somewhat competitive.
James White RB FA Fri 12/29/17 4:55 PM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after practicing in a limited fashion all week.
EDGE Analysis
Both Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee will sit out the game with knee injuries and given that the Patriots have not added another running back to the mix, we'd expect White back in the lineup Sunday, working in a change-of-pace/pass-catching role behind Dion Lewis. Assuming it's confirmed that White will suit up for Sunday's 1:00 ET contest, he'll merit a look in PPR formats in Week 17.
James White RB FA Wed 12/27/17 5:55 PM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) was limited at practice Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
White was inactive for this past weekend's game against the Bills, so it's not a lock that he'll suit up for the Patriots' regular-season finale against the Jets on Sunday. He's not the only banged-up member of the New England backfield, either. Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee both sat out practice Wednesday with knee issues, leaving top back Dion Lewis and special-teams ace Brandon Bolden as the team's only running backs who were able to practice fully.
James White RB FA Sun 12/24/17 11:39 AM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.
EDGE Analysis
Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, White underwent an MRI over the last week, but the running back's ankle issue isn't expected to keep him out long. White's blitz pickup and pass-catching ability will be needed in the playoffs, so the Patriots appear to be focusing on having him ready for their postseason run. With Rex Burkhead (knee) also out Sunday, Dion Lewis and Mike Gillislee will head the Patriots' Week 16 ground game, with special teams ace Brandon Bolden on hand in a reserve capacity.
James White RB FA Sun 12/24/17 1:07 AM
James White
RB FA
White (ankle) is not expected to play Sunday against Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
EDGE Analysis
White practiced in a limited fashion all week, so it's a surprise that he won't play. With Rex Burkhead out with a knee injury, Dion Lewis should get the bulk of work with Mike Gillislee (a healthy scratch last weekend) likely active for the first time since Oct. 29.