Patriots vs. Buccaneers Wednesday injury report: New England captain James White expected to miss rest of season

For the first time this season, the New England Patriots practiced without running back James White.

The team captain, who was carted off with a reported hip subluxation in Week 3, is now expected to miss the rest of 2021 after undergoing further medical examinations, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Field Yates.

White marked New England’s lone absence on a Wednesday in which wide receiver N’Keal Harry’s return window opened and seven members of the active roster were limited.

Here’s the initial injury report heading into Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

Patriots

• RB James White (hip)

Buccaneers

• RB Giovani Bernard (knee)
• TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs)
• LB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder)

Through two games this September, White accounted for 126 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown while proving integral in blitz pickup. The 29-year-old had re-signed on a one-year deal in March. New England’s backfield depth chart will go forward with Brandon Bolden, J.J. Taylor and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson behind starter Damien Harris. On the Tampa Bay half, three would also be sidelined for practice on Wednesday, including Gronkowski at tight end. The four-time Super Bowl champion injured his ribs last Sunday.

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

Patriots

• OT Trent Brown (calf)
• OT Isaiah Wynn (knee)
• DL Henry Anderson (ankle)
• LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (shoulder)
• LB Josh Uche (back)
• LB Kyle Van Noy (groin)
• K Nick Folk (left knee)

Buccaneers

• WR Jaydon Mickens (abdomen)
• CB Jamel Dean (knee)

Brown at right tackle and Uche at outside linebacker had both been inactive last weekend after calf and back injuries, respectively, left them designated them as questionable. The former has not played since the season opener while the latter has amassed three sacks. An additional handful have since been added to New England’s injury report as the calendar turns to Tampa Bay. Wynn, Anderson, Bentley, Van Noy and Folk all participated in a partial capacity on Wednesday.

FULL PARTICIPATION

Patriots

• no players listed

Buccaneers

• WR Chris Godwin (thumb)
• CB Carlton Davis (abdomen/ribs)

No Patriots would officially be listed as full participants to begin Buccaneers preparations. But Tampa Bay starters at wide receiver and at cornerback both graduated to that capacity on Wednesday. Godwin has caught 19 passes for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the campaign. And across the ball, Davis has had a hand in defending four passes, including an interception he returned 25 yards.