Leonard Fournette has been dealing with some ankle soreness this week and missed practice earlier in the week as a result. While he might not have missed any game time with the injury yet, is Fournette going to be available in Week 15? Can fantasy football managers comfortably start Fournette this week, and how has he played so far this season?
Update 12/19/21: Leonard Fournette is officially active and will play against the Saints.
Is Leonard Fournette going to play tonight vs. the Saints?
Ian Rapoport confirmed early this morning that Fournette would, in fact, be ready to go for tonight’s Bucs game in prime time. Fournette missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned to limited participation on Friday. He will now play tonight against the New Orleans Saints, as the Bucs continue their pursuit of the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
While Fournette might be active tonight, there is a possibility that he may take fewer snaps, purely based on the fact that the Bucs have a capable Ronald Jones behind him. While Jones has not been able to produce quite the same level of output, you have to wonder how much of Fournette we’ll see if Tampa starts to pull away in the game. Fantasy managers can start him, but proceed with caution, just in case.
How has Fournette performed so far in Year 2 with the Bucs?
It seems like Fournette’s downfall and eventual release from the Jacksonville Jaguars was many moons ago. He now dominates in Tampa Bay each and every week. The former No. 4 overall pick and Jacksonville fell out of love after injury setbacks cost him most of his second season.
When he returned and into Year 3, he didn’t feel like the same player for the Jags. And after failing to find a trade partner, he was released.
Fournette was one of Tom Brady’s recruits, rounded up to go and join him after he signed with Tampa Bay. Fournette spoke highly of Brady’s support and belief in him, and the two have formed a great relationship in the backfield. Since arriving, Fournette has taken over the starting snaps from Jones. This season, he’s now averaging his greatest yards-per-carry total since coming into the league.
So far in 2021, Fournette has over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving). Brady looks favorably upon Fournette, and behind one of the best offensive lines in football, he once again looks like the talent we all thought he was coming out of LSU.