FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots running back James White, one of the NFL's most clutch players on third down, was carted off the field and quickly ruled out with a hip injury in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
On a third-and-3 play with 11:34 remaining in the second quarter, White had rushed for 6 yards around the left end when he was tackled by linebacker Demario Davis.
The team didn't update White's status after the game, with coach Bill Belichick saying he saw White at halftime.
"We'll see," Belichick said of White's diagnosis.
White immediately rolled over and grabbed for his right hip. Almost every Patriots player came over to him before a cart took him to the locker room for X-rays.
"It is a tough part of this game. You hate it and for a guy like that, who really does give his all to the team," center David Andrews said. "The world could use some more James Whites."
Added captain Devin McCourty: "Any time the cart comes out, you kind of know it's serious. It's tough any time you watch one of your main guys, one of your leaders [and] flag-bearers, go down. I'll be praying for James."
Entering Sunday's game, White led the Patriots with 12 receptions for 94 yards, while adding nine rushes for 32 yards. The 6-yard rush he was injured on was his only carry of the game.
The eight-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Patriots, entered this season having the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a running back in the NFL since 2015. In his absence, the Patriots turned to veteran Brandon Bolden to fill his role, which is often referred to as a "passing back" in the team's attack. Bolden had three receptions for 23 yards and three carries for a net loss of 1 yard on Sunday.