West Virginia receives unfortunate injury news about star running back

Jeff Hauser

West Virginia receives unfortunate injury news about star running back image

West Virginia’s tough start to the season has taken another blow with the news that running back Jahiem White is expected to miss the remainder of the year due to a knee injury. 

The update comes after the Mountaineers’ 17-10 upset loss at Ohio, where White was forced to exit the game in the first half and leave the field on a cart.The injury was initially described as concerning by head coach Rich Rodriguez, who noted postgame that “it didn’t look good from the sidelines,” though he had yet to speak with medical staff.

By Monday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports confirmed White's status going forward. 

In his first two years at West Virginia, White split carries with CJ Donaldson but still managed to emerge as the team’s leading rusher, tallying 1,819 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 281 carries, along with three receiving scores. His production made him as a consistent part of the Mountaineers’ offense.

Through two games in 2025, White logged 133 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, including a 40-yard, one-touchdown performance against Ohio before the injury. His absence leaves a significant hole in the backfield for West Virginia, who welcomes Pitt into Morgantown on Saturday (3:30 p.m. on ESPN). 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.