Looking for extra depth at wide receiver prior to training camp, the Buffalo Bills signed WR David White Jr. on Tuesday.
White comes to Buffalo after several stops in college and a cup of coffee in the NFL before injury struck. Read below for David White Jr. publicly reported injury history and analysis.
Injury History
College
Valdosta State/Western Carolina
No publicly reported injuries.
NFL
2024 Jacksonville Jaguars
Left ACL tear, OTA’s, missed entire season.
White suffered a non-contact left ACL tear running a route during voluntary OTA’s in late May. He was waived with an injury designation before reverting to injured reserve and missed the entire 2024 season.
Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis
White missed all of last season due to the ACL tear just weeks after signing as a UDFA with Jacksonville. We have confirmation that it is his left side not only due to the sleeve he is wearing on his IG post and also the scar on the inside portion of his lower knee that signifies the ACL surgery in another IG post.
Understanding that White is coming off the ACL tear and he will be over a year removed does help his case to remain healthy in 2025. However, he is still within the two-year window to either re-tear his ACL or tear the contralateral side with this elevated risk until the two-year mark.
Only 39.5 percent of wide receivers were in the league two years after the injury and 29.4 percent are in the league after three seasons. What this doesn’t account for is moving up a level of competition from college to the NFL and a lost year of reps due to his previous injury. It also isn’t known whether he had additional damage or if this was an isolated tear. Furthermore, there are notable decreases in games played, games started, and overall snap counts compared to controls upon return.
White is still at risk to suffer another ACL tear for at least another year and is increasing his level of competition. Due to his ACL tear and talent, White better have a strong showing and remain healthy at camp to make this roster or at the very least the practice squad. Latching on early in training camp will allow White to at least maximize his reps and showcase his talent. Otherwise, he may have trouble finding a consistent home.
Outside of the ACL tear, White has been healthy with no other known injuries from college. He has a lot stacked against him but this is where dreams are made.
I would like to welcome David White Jr to Buffalo and that he remains healthy this season.
Top Photo Credit: Florida Times-Union
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