Keion White Takes On New (Yet Familiar) Role At Patriots Practice

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Patriots running backs coach Taylor Embree has been asking for months.

"I'll always fight for a fullback," Embree told NESN.com in June. "I'm waiting on the right one, but right now we're getting the other stuff rolling and obviously some of the tight ends can do some of the fullback stuff."

Did he mean to say former tight ends?

He must have, because Keion White was the first player to receive reps at fullback during training camp. Yes, the second-year defender who everyone expects to take a major step forward also received some reps on offense Monday -- calling back to his days as a tight end at Georgia Tech.

"I don't know what you're talking about," White joked following practice, before giving an explanation as to what went into the brief position change. "We're just trying things out, seeing where I can go, anything I can do... I played tight end, did a little bit of that in college, so just trying to get back to that."

White and Jeremiah Pharms Jr. each received a few reps from the backfield, with the former even getting an end-zone target that was ultimately intercepted.

White did make a standout play, however, as he laid a heavy hit on Jahlani Tavai in a would-be touchdown run.

"We haven't talked about it yet," White said, "but I for sure will give him (expletive) about it."

The Patriots likely aren't going to make him a full-time member of the offense, a-la Elandon Roberts in 2019, but knowing White can fill in on short-yardage situations likely is something offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will keep in the back of his mind moving forward.

Who knows, perhaps we'll get to see White with the ball in his hands in the open field. Scary.