Pats Beat: James White will be 'a steady contributor the rest of the way'

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald on James White's playing time:

It’s easier to forecast the New England weather than the Patriots’ backfield rotations, but White should continue to earn more playing time with Brady running the show because they’re naturally expected to throw it more. White has been impressive this season. He looks more elusive, and he has a bit more explosion in his legs. White appears to be breaking more tackles, too.

I don’t under any circumstances believe White will take Blount’s reps in the ground game because Blount is the superior player between the tackles. But I do believe White will be a steady contributor the rest of the way. I never understood why White only played 16 snaps against the Texans and 21 against the Bills. Regardless of the game plan and the quarterback for those games, White had been playing well enough to warrant more playing time for that stretch with Jacoby Brissett.

Howe doesn't address the return of Dion Lewis, but while Lewis remains sidelined, White should see increased snaps now that Tom Brady is back and the team is throwing the ball more.