JamesWhite

News: 3 days agoWhite rushed five times for 19 yards and caught six of nine targets for 64 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Texans.

Spin: Rex Burkhead (knee) was carted off, per Darren Hartwell of Yahoo Sports, leaving White with a near monopoly on pass-catching duties out of the backfield as New England tried to climb out of a second-half hole. White set a new season best with 84 scrimmage yards while tying his season high in targets, and Burkhead's expected absence in Week 12 should leave White with a prominent role in passing situations against the Cardinals. Damien Harris and possibly Sony Michel (quad) should get most of the work on the ground, but neither can hold a candle to White's pass-catching ability.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: White has finished as a top-20 fantasy RB each of the past two seasons, but he's a bit of a wild card now that old reliable Tom Brady is out of the picture. We can't bank on carries from White (he has never cleared 94 in a single season), but he has ranked no lower than sixth among backs in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdown receptions each of the past two seasons. White is a strong bet to remain New England's primary passing-down back, but we can't assume Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham will target him as often, and the safe bet would be to expect less scoring and a more run-heavy approach from the Patriots' offense. White still has PPR value, but he's more of a fringe flex with a limited ceiling.