FOXBORO — James White says he doesn’t like it when he misses any action, whether it’s preseason or come playoff time. Neither do his teammates.
The Patriots were thrilled to get White back on the field after he missed the final two regular season games with an ankle injury. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels instantly wrote White back into the game plan and the veteran running back delivered, just like he always seems to do under the NFL’s brightest lights.
White took a flip from Tom Brady and ran five yards for the Patriots’ first touchdown and then scooted around left end for six yards and another score to jump-start New England to a resounding 35-14 win over the Tennessee Titans.
“I was just excited to be back out there and blessed to have the opportunity again,” White said. “I don’t like letting those opportunities pass me by. I just want to do my job to the best of my ability and try to help my team win.”
While White didn’t play in the season’s final two games, he really hadn’t enjoyed much of an impact on the offense in nearly a month. That changed when the season’s biggest games arrived. He said he was happy to take advantage of the extra rehab time around the bye week and get his ankle as close to 100 percent as possible.
“It’s a one-game season so it’s win or go home,” White said, “so I just try to make the most of the opportunity and don’t take it for granted. A lot of people wish they could be in that position.”
Brady said the addition of White and receiver Chris Hogan only added to the talented assortment of weapons at his disposal. “I think when you have some of your best players on the field all the time it’s a great benefit to us, like it would be for any team,” he said.
Having White through the remainder of the playoffs can only comfort Brady. After all the four-year veteran thrives in the post-season. In his last playoff game White delivered an all-time performance as he caught a TD pass and ran for two more to help spark the Patriots stunning comeback win over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.
He said the increased tempo the offense deployed on the team’s third and fourth drives helped ease his path into the end zone.
“I think it wore them down a little bit,” White said. “It’s tough for defenses to adjust that fast when we’re going fast. I think we did a great job with that during the week in practice and going out and executing today.”
Next Sunday’s AFC Championship game will be the fourth of White’s career. He’s happy he won't have to miss the latest chance to return to yet another Super Bowl.
“All the hard work we put in is for these moments,” White said. “You just have to make the most of those opportunities. Every game is going to be tough. You have to practice hard and prepare hard.”