NFL Rumors: Jaguars ‘Not Optimistic’ Leonard Fournette Will Play Vs. Patriots
The Jacksonville Jaguars likely won’t have their top offensive weapon for Sunday’s showdown with the New England Patriots.
The team is “not optimistic” running back Leonard Fournette will play in Week 2 due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning.
There is a long time to go before game time, but the #Jaguars are not optimistic that star RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) will play vs. the #Patriots, sources say. Not a surprise, he didn?t practice all week and they did promote Brandon Wilds from the practice squad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2018
That would be a 180 from the Jaguars’ stance on Fournette earlier this week; following Jacksonville’s win over the New York Giants last Sunday, head coach Doug Marrone said he was “optimistic” about Fournette’s chances of playing against the Patriots.
But the 23-year-old LSU product didn’t practice all week, forcing the Jags to promote another running back, Brandon Wilds, from the practice squad.
Fournette still is considered a game-time decision, though, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning the team hasn’t made any final decision on his status.
If Fournette indeed doesn’t play, expect backup T.J. Yeldon to receive a majority of the backfield snaps, with change-of-pace back Corey Grant also seeing time.
The Patriots and Jaguars will kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET from TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
