New England Patriots running back James White faces an uncertain return as a result of a hip injury suffered against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Before Week 2 of last season, James White suffered unimaginable tragedy: both of his parents suffered a serious car accident that resulted in the death of his father.
A little over a year later, tragedy has struck White once again: a painful hip subluxation has him out indefinitely with a likely IR stint.
The news is heart-breaking for White personally as well as professionally, as the Patriots pass-catching running back has remained a key part of the offense since he was drafted in 2014.
Patriots get tough injury update on James White
During his game against the Saints, White’s hip was jammed upward into the joint, causing a painful hip subluxation injury. The injury is comparable to what Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered during Week 1. Fitzpatrick is expected to miss six to eight weeks, which makes the ambitious White prediction more concerning.
A hip subluxation is when the hip is partially out of its socket, or partially dislocated. While shoulder dislocations are commonly depicted as something that can be popped back into place, a hip subluxation often requires “significant force” to pop back into place. According to a medical review by the NYU Langone Medical Center, “the best results are achieved if the reduction is performed within six hours of the dislocation, either with or without surgery.”
Although White may not be the biggest fantasy running back, he has been an integral part of the Patriots offense, acting as a safety valve for many Tom Brady (then Cam Newton, then Mac Jones) checkdowns. White has been key on converting third downs and accruing YAC, something that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Josh Gordon explained during their Super Bowl-winning 2018 season.
The consistency from James White is something that this Patriots team will miss, especially in Week 4’s NFL Game of the Century.