Keion White Fined For Horse-Collar Tackle In Patriots-Titans Matchup

The NFL went after New England Patriots defensive end Keion White again, roughly four weeks after the 25-year-old was fined for two penalties against the Miami Dolphins — costing him around $20,000.

This time, White was fined for a horse-collar tackle, marking his third fine this season. The unnecessary roughness, which was called during last Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, will cost White $22,511, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. White’s tackle came against Titans running back Tony Pollard with 14:03 minutes left in the second quarter.

The second-year pass rusher has had obvious difficulties avoiding costly penalties, however, White’s strides in New England have caught the eye of former head coach Bill Belichick, who shined the light on the 2023 second-rounder. During an episode of Belichick’s “Coach” podcast, he announced those listed on his “All-Belichick” team for rookies and second-year players, naming two Patriots: White and Christian Gonzalez.

“(Laiatu) Latu and Keion White for sure can move down in there, rush from a three-technique and play the diamond or a bear front that teams are playing,” Belichick said. “So, there’s some real versatility there as well, as just great solid production, and these guys are just going to get better.”

White was the only player not selected in the first round — he went 46th overall out of the Georgia Tech — to be listed by Belichick. The Patriots signed White to a four-year contract worth $7.7 million upon getting drafted.

So far, White has recorded a career-best four sacks and 38 tackles through nine starts under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. White and 2-7 New England still have eight games remaining in the regular season before the Patriots officially transition into yet another critical offseason.