Table of Contents
About the Author: J.C. Allen
Latest Bucs Headlines
The time has come for “Playoff Lenny” to return to the Bucs. According to the NFL’s Ian Rapoport, the team has designated running back Leonard Fournette to return from injured reserve. To make room for the team’s top rusher, veteran Le’Veon Bell was waived.
The #Bucs are activating RB Leonard Fournette off Injured Reserve and he’ll play tomorrow vs. the #Rams, source said. He’s been out since Week 16 with a hamstring injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2022
Fournette was lost to a hamstring injury in the Bucs’ Week 15 contest against the Saints and subsequently placed on IR. While it appeared the former LSU Tiger would be able to go last Sunday against the Eagles, but was never activated off IR. Head coach Bruce Arians said after the game Fournette wasn’t able to run at full speed. That was the reason why he couldn’t suit up. But Arians gave a more hopeful diagnosis on Friday.
“He looks fine,” Arians said. “He looks good. And he didn’t have the setback he had last week, so we’ll wait and see.”
Despite missing the final three games of the season Fournette finished the year as the team’s leading rusher. He totaled 812 yards with a 4.5 yard per carry average and eight touchdowns. Surprisingly the Pro-Bowl alternate had the third most receptions on the team as well. He amassed 69 catches for 454 yards and two scores on the season.
Fournette’s return is great news for a Bucs team that is already down Chris Godwin and Breshad Perriman. The Bucs host the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in a divisional round matchup.
