Leonard Fournette trying to keep NFL career alive with dreaded Jaguars' division foe

Running back Leonard Fournette was a key contributor for the Jacksonville Jaguars at the end of the 2010s. However, the team's brass chose to release him rather than give him a new deal. And while Playoff Lenny had no trouble latching to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the time, he's recently had a bit of trouble finding work. That's led him to a visit with the Indianapolis Colts.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Fournette met with Indy the Monday before kickoff. They didn't reach an agreement, but it would ultimately make sense for both parties to join forces. The former LSU Tiger would get a team to play for while the Colts would add insurance behind Jonathan Taylor.

This would be a smart move when you take into account that hampered Taylor's performance the past two years and hasn't been nearly as productive as he was in 2021. That year, the former Wisconsin Badger earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

Zack Moss was Indianapolis' No. 2 running back behind Taylor in 2023 but he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. With Moss out of the mix, Trey Sermon moved up the depth chart. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the first game of the preseason that forced him to miss time. He's since returned to practice but the Colts' decision to bring in Fournette may be a sign that he may not be ready for the season opener.

Earlier this year, Jake Sullivan of CBS Sports mentioned the Colts as a potential landing spot for the Louisiana native based on need at the position. It looks like he wasn't that far off.

Leonard Fournette would surely love to stick it to the Jaguars

Leonard Fournette, the fourth overall pick in 2017, was a good-not-great pick for the Jaguars. Although he crossed the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie, he averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry that year. His best season in Jacksonville came in 2019, when he toted the rock 265 times for 1,152 yards with three touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

However, the former LSU Tiger became expendable when the Jags signed undrafted free agent James Robinson in 2020. With the former Illinois State Redbird in the fold, the front office released Fournette. He spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before landing with the Buffalo Bills in 2023.

Fournette became a free agent earlier this year but has yet to sign with a team. Nevertheless, he hasn't lost the hope of keeping his NFL career alive. The trouble is that running backs have a relatively short shelf life compared to other positions, so clubs rather roll with younger ones who will be less expensive than their veteran counterparts.

The one thing Fournette has going in his favor is that he's a vested veteran who can contribute right off the bat. Then again, it might take an injury to a fellow running back for him to get a chance.

Leonard Fournette would love to suit up for the Colts, so he could stick it to his former team. However, it doesn't look like a signing is coming. All he can do right now is remain patient and wait for that one opportunity, whether it comes with Indianapolis or someone else.

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