New England Patriots running back James White (28) is carted off the field after an apparent injury during the first half of Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints at Gillete Stadium. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Gillette Stadium was extremely quiet during a moment early in the second quarter of Sunday’s disheartening 28-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints, even with some 60,000 fans.

That’s because one of their favorites, New England Patriots running back James White, was down and and the cart came out to take him away with an apparent hip injury.

“It’s a tough part of this game and we don’t really know what happened,” Patriots center David Andrews said, “but you hate it and for a guy like that, who really does give his all to this team, day-in, day-out – the world could use some more James Whites.”

Even Patriots coach Bill Belichick admitted after the game he had talked to White at halftime. “We’ll see,” he said of what’s next for the veteran running back and one of the team captains.

Fellow back Branden Bolden was asked what his reaction was to seeing White get carted off. Several Patriots went across the field to give White well-wishes after.

“Same thing when anybody gets hurt,” Bolden said. “But when it’s one of the guys you run with, one of the guys you train with, one of the guys you bleed and sweat with, it kind of hits a little different.Prayers to him, and hope he gets through it.”

“James is obviously a great player,”Patriots quarterback Mac Jones said. “But he’s also a really great person. We’re all behind him 100 percent. He’s a great leader and a great Patriots. He’s been a great role model for me.”

It’s a second straight season with apparent major adversity for White, whose father died in Florida last fall in a car accident that also seriously injured his mother.

EDELMAN HONORED

The Patriots honored retired receiver and fan favorite Julian Edelman at halftime, with a speech by team owner Robert Kraft.

“One of the things that made him a fan favorite in New England was he was tough as nails,” Kraft said.

Kraft spoke on how Edelman’s last game last year in late October was played with no fans in the stands (due to the pandemic), and his retirement announcement video was made last spring with no fans in the stands as well.

“That’s no way for a Patriot legend to end his career like that,” he said.

Thus the ceremony, with Edelman holding his daughter in his arms.

“We lived you guys, we breathed you guys, we loved you guys,” he said to the fans. “Foxboro forever.”

UCHE, BROWN INACTIVE

Injured Patriots Josh Uche (linebacker) and offensive lineman Trent Brown, both starters, were inactive, as was second year tight end Devin Asiasi. Also out were cornerback Shaun Wade, rookie running back Rhamondrew Stevenson, and linebacker Ronnie Perkins.

It will be interesting to see if Stevenson gets playing time with likey White out, or if the Patriots try to bring in a veteran.

The Saints inactives: quarterback Ian Book, corner Desmond Trufant, center Erik McCoy, wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and defensive tackle Albert Huggins.

PAYTON LIKED SAINTS APPROACH

Saints coach Sean Payton was happy with his team’s defensive pressure.

“I thought we tackled well in space, number one,” he said. “I thought we affected the quarterback. When it became a little more one-dimensional, obviously, it’s a little bit more difficult to generate the rush. Thought we kep the ball in front of us.”

Saint defensive back Malcom Jenkins, on his pick six early in the second half, said “They were trying to sneak the tight end (Jonnu Smith) on the back side and I ended up getting picked actually by my own teammate,” he said. “So I just rushed up to my coverage and the ball got tipped up in the air and I was able to come down with it.”

FOLK EXTENDS STREAK

Patriots kicker Nick Folk extended his consecutive field goal streak to 35, tied for seventh all-time. Former Patriot Adam Vinatieri has the record at 44…

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne set a career high with 96 yards on six catches, and also scored his first TD as a Patriot, a 22-yarder in the second half that brought the team to within 21-13…

Patriots started Justin Herron at right tackle with Brown out…

Next up: Tom Brady and the defending Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday night here at Gillette.