Will Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette play against the Texans?
By David Levin
Will the Jacksonville Jaguars have running back Leonard Fournette back in the lineup on Sunday when the home team takes on the Houston Texans?
It’s the biggest question mark facing the Jacksonville Jaguars this coming weekend. Will Leonard Fournette return to action when his teammates take the field to play AFC South rival the Houston Texans?
This week may finally be the one where the second-year back sees action after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. The injury has plagued Fournette all season, so much so that he has missed a total of five games.
The Jaguars currently stand 3-3 and tied for first place in the division with the Texans and Tennessee Titans.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t heard any Calvin Ridley news from the NFL
- WR Marvin Jones Jr. will give 110 percent with the Jacksonville Jaguars or wherever he plays in 2023
- Jacksonville Jaguars keeping TE Evan Engram in 2023 one way or another
- The Jacksonville Jaguars should take a chance on Kenny Golladay
- Jaguars: The first overall pick may be coming to the AFC South
"“The only thing I am sharing with you is they ran today and obviously it went well and we are going to see where we are at Wednesday,” head coach Doug Marrone said when he addressed the media on Monday."
A healthy Fournette could help cure part of what this team needs to get the offense moving in the right direction.
Fournette has just 71 yards on the season. T.J. Yeldon has been the team’s leading rusher with 299 yards through six games. Yeldon has four total touchdowns, three of them on pass plays.
Injuries have been a focal point of the Jaguars as every unit – with the exception of quarterback – has been affected on offense. The team brought in Jamaal Charles and David Williams last week when Corey Grant was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a foot injury.
Charles was ineffective in the game against Dallas. He carried the ball five times for five yards.
Because of a lack of production with the running game, and Jacksonville falling behind early in the past two games, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has had to change game plans and rely on the pass to move the football down the field.
What I do worry about it bringing Fournette back too soon. Is this a knee-jerk reaction by the coaching staff to try and inject some life in this offense? Fournette’s hamstring has been a topic of conversation since the first game of the season.
The former LSU star came to training camp leaner than he was last season in an attempt to be quicker. In 2017, he rushed for 1,040 yards, becoming only the second rookie running back to eclipse the century mark in a Jaguars uniform. Fred Taylor was the first in 1998.
He told the media when asked after the first game of training camp the only goal he had with the organization was reaching the Super Bowl in Atlanta.
Next. The 30 Greatest Jaguars of All Time. dark
Injuries have been an issue for Fournette since coming into the league. He missed two games last year.