Through the first two games of the season, James White was the most consistent member of the Patriots offense.
But then early in the second quarter against the Saints in Week 3, the veteran running back needed to get carted off the field with a hip injury. According to NFL Media, he suffered a subluxation of the hip and is out indefinitely.
So, how might the Patriots look to replace him?
Based on what the team did Sunday following him leaving the game, it seems like Brandon Bolden is the player who will have his role expanded most.
Bolden played 33 (out of 72) snaps where as J.J. Taylor only played 13. Bolden finished with three carries for -1 yards and also three receptions for 23 yards. Taylor only had one carry and two catches, but the biggest difference — at least for Sunday — was the Patriots trusted Bolden more when it comes to blitz pickup.
Damien Harris could have seen his role expand, but he only played 22 snaps — a sign the team doesn’t fully trust him with pass protection, either.
Moving forward, Rhamondre Stevenson figures to be active on gameday, but it doesn’t seem at least as of now he will have a huge role filling in for White. Taylor seemed like the player most likely to slide into White’s role and he very well could, but it just didn’t happen during Sunday’s game. That went to Bolden, who does have the most experience of anyone in the running backs room.
The Patriots could look outside the organization and add another back, but at least as of now that doesn’t feel necessary. With that being said, Sony Michel would have been a nice player to still have on the roster to take some of the pressure off of the other backs.
No one player can replace White and the Patriots running backs room will face some adversity for yet another season.
