James White can sympathize with TreVeyon Henderson.

Despite a highly-successful college career at Wisconsin, White appeared in just three games for the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2014 while buried on the depth chart behind Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden.

White stayed patient, however, and it paid off: He saw a much larger role midway through the 2015 season to finish with 62 touches for 466 yards and six touchdowns, then became an integral part of the offense over the next four seasons, highlighted by his 139 scrimmage yards and 20 points scored (three touchdowns and a two-point conversion) in Super Bowl LI.

Will TreVeyon Henderson follow a similar trajectory?

You could argue Henderson should be making a more immediate impact than White; the second-round draft pick out of Ohio State is second on the depth chart behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who has struggled with fumbling issues and inconsistency through seven games. And yet Henderson has just 59 touches on the season compared to Stevenson’s 84 and played just nine snaps (two carries for five yards) in last Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans.

In a conversation with Patriots Insider Phil Perry on the Next Pats Podcast, White insisted Henderson’s limited role shouldn’t be cause for alarm.

“As we all know with (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels), our game plan was always kind of a week-to-week thing,” White told Perry. “So, he may not have played that much this past week. Maybe next week he gets a ton of snaps. It just all depends how they want to attack the defense they’re going up against.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily a trust issue. I think it’s just a game plan thing, and eventually his time will come, whether it’s this year, whether it’s next year, whatever it may be.”

Stevenson’s strength is running between the tackles, which explains why the Patriots leaned on him heavily against a vulnerable Titans run defense. But if an opponent is stout up the middle, perhaps that will allow more opportunities for Henderson, who excels in space and can be a weapon in the short passing game.

Either way, White believes Henderson is too talented to not have success in New England’s offense — even if it takes a bit longer than expected.

“That’s just the way it goes for some guys,” White said. “Some rookies come in and make an immediate impact right away — which most of us expected him to do — but I’m sure at some point his number will get called a lot.

“… I think he’s extremely talented. He’s going to be a great football player for the organization, whether it’s this year, whenever his time comes. I just think everybody’s had lofty expectations based on where he was drafted and what we saw on tape. But it will happen at some point.”

For his part, Henderson told Perry he’s “understanding” after his limited role in Tennessee and is doing his best to be prepared for when his number is called. He’s also been watching film of White, which certainly pleased the three-time Super Bowl champion.

“That’s pretty cool, man,’ White said. “Whenever a young player is watching your tape to find ways to improve his game, that’s always extremely dope. I did the same thing with Shane Vereen, with Dion Lewis, with Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk, all those guys.

“He’s way more explosive. He’s faster than I ever was — than I ever will be. He can really take it to a whole (different) level because he has the speed and the explosiveness to take it 70, 80, yards at any given point. So, he’s got what it takes, man. It takes time at times, and when his opportunity comes, I know he’ll be ready.”

Also in this episode:

Drake Maye now has the third-best odds to win 2025 NFL MVP. 

James White on watching Maye exceed expectations.

Who’s Next: Possible future Patriots at the college level.

Giving Will Campbell the credit he deserves.