Jaguars Fournette Will Not Play Versus Titans Today

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without running back Leonard Fournette back today for their home game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t have a familiar face in the starting lineup this afternoon when they host the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field. Running back Leonard Fournette will once again not play. Fournette has not played since the first half of the first game of the season against the New York Giants.

Fournette, the team’s leading rusher last season with 1,040 yards, suffered a hamstring injury that kept out of the last week’s action against the New England Patriots.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com broke the news on his Twitter account.

The news means that T.J. Yeldon will once again get the call to start. Corey Grant will back him up and Brandon Wilds figures to get carries as well against the Titans defense.

Injuries played a part in Fournette’s rookie season where he missed two games. He also missed one game as a healthy scratch for violating team runs. In all three games, Yeldon started and the team won each contest.

Jacksonville is 4-0 in games Fournette has not played the past 18 contests. The Jaguars opened up the passing game last week without the former first-round draft pick in the lineup. Last week, the Jaguars opened up the passing game without their lead back in a 31-20 win over the Patriots.

It’s possible the same thing will happen this afternoon.

"“Not only are the Jaguars undefeated in games in which the 2017 fourth overall draft pick doesn’t play, the offense averages more points and more total yards, and quarterback Blake Bortles is a much more efficient and successful passer. The difference is significant,” Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com wrote in a story earlier this week."

The team, especially offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, assures everyone Fournette is a vital cog in the team’s offensive game plan and will continue to be part of the team’s game plan this season.

"“Just trying to get ready for a game and it’s hard for me to believe that,” Hackett said. “It’s hard for me to even hear that. I think Leonard’s a fantastic player. He’s only going to get better. He’s still very young. I think for anybody to say that he’s even reached his potential is something you can’t say.”"

Fournette was listed as “questionable” all week during the team’s practices. He is not the only player the team has had to prepare for missing today’s game.  Cornerback D.J. Hayden (toe), and right guard A.J. Cann (triceps) are questionable to face the Titans. There is no update on their status at this time.