With the uncertainty of Mitch Trubisky coming off his left knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Shane Buechele’s neck injury, the Buffalo Bills have had to cycle through various quarterbacks to get through the preseason. The Bills hope they have found a stopgap in Mike White, the former Cowboys, Jets, and Dolphins signal-caller.
While he is expected to sign to the practice squad, this at least tells us that they are formulating a contingency plan in the very likelihood that Trubisky is not ready for Week 1. White has played in a variety of different places and has proven he has the knowledge and toughness to at least stick in the NFL.
Read the full injury analysis on Mike White below.
Injury History
NFL
2018 Dallas Cowboys
No publicly reported injuries.
2019 Dallas Cowboys/New York Jets
No publicly reported injuries.
2020 New York Jets
No publicly reported injuries.
2021 New York Jets
Right forearm injury, Week 9, missed 0 games.
White suffered a right forearm injury when an Indianapolis Colts defender inadvertently hit his forearm as he was following through with a pass in the first quarter. He later noted that his middle two fingers went numb as he worked with trainers and doctors to regain the grip necessary to throw the ball effectively. He ultimately did not return to the game.
COVID, Week 12, missed 1 game.
White tested positive for COVID ahead of Week 12 and also got Joe Flacco ruled out as well as he was a close contact during the week.
2022 New York Jets
Rib fractures, Week 14, missed 3 total games.
White suffered a total of five broken ribs playing against the Buffalo Bills including a murderous hit from All-Pro LB Matt Milano as seen below. Most players would have given up, but each time White was escorted from the field for evaluation, he came right back for more and received more punishment as his reward. He ended up missing three of the next four games, starting Week 17.
2023 Miami Dolphins
Concussion, preseason vs Houston Texans, missed 1 game.
White was placed into concussion protocol after exhibiting some “irregularities” during the Houston Texans preseason game.
2024 Miami Dolphins
No publicly reported injuries.
Injury Analysis
White better get himself up to speed because I see him being active in Week 1. Mitch Trubisky is weeks away from being ready as he rehabs from his high-grade left MCL sprain. The hope is that White will only have to hold a clipboard and perform several kneel-downs at the very end of the game, but White has proven to be a capable backup when called upon.
Looking at his injury history, there isn’t anything of major concern as the rib fractures healed up expectedly. The Dolphins were smart to get him into the concussion protocol after they noticed some irregularities but he fortunately does not have a lengthy history of them. No concerns are moving forward with White, however, I am impressed by his toughness after Matt Milano destroyed him on the football field with the finest tackle I have ever seen.
Matt White has proven he knows the game of football, is tough enough to play it, and can step up and play well when called upon. Whether this is for several games or the whole season, this was a solid signing both as a veteran and as a low-cost option they are familiar with.
I wish Mike White the best of luck this season and to remain healthy.
Top Photo Credit: USA Today
