Patriots captain James White showing ‘tremendous consistency’ through initial weeks of 2021

Two games into September, James White stands with 12 receptions.

James White stands with 12 receptions through the first two weeks of the New England Patriots’ season.

That tally marks the most for the veteran running back through the first two weeks of any season during his NFL career, per Stathead.

“James is one of our best players,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said following Sunday’s 25-6 win over the New York Jets. “He has tremendous consistency. He can really do whatever we ask him to do — third down, first down, run the ball, catch it, blitz pickup. He gives that group great leadership with his preparation and performance. He is always ready to go on gameday.”

On gameday at MetLife Stadium, White turned six catches into 45 yards through the air from Mac Jones. The team captain also turned five handoffs from the rookie quarterback into 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“I feel good,” White, who arrived in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Wisconsin, told reporters during his postgame press conference. “I know last year wasn’t my best year for many different reasons. I’m excited to be back out here and have an opportunity to play this game. I want to do whatever I can to help my team win, whether that’s getting the ball or not, or just blocking. I just want to be the best me out there.”

White’s 126 yards from scrimmage to begin September stand behind only his 148 yards in 2018 and 164 yards in 2017.

“Whatever you need him to do, that’s a guy you can really count on,” added Belichick. “And yeah, he came through big today. He was able to make a number of good plays for us — runs and passes and some key plays. He’s a guy we really count on and he delivers.”