LEONARD FOURNETTE NEWS

Has defined role Coach Bruce Arians has called Fournette his current "nickel" running back, using him in hurry-up and clear passing situations, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Impact After logging two DNPs and one offensive snap between Weeks 4 and 6 due to an ankle injury, Fournette received a 56-percent share of the snaps on offense this past Sunday in Las Vegas en route to 17 touches for 97 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, Ronald Jones started but played just 43 percent of the plays, compiling 14 touches for 36 total yards and one TD. According to Arians, Fournette took over the aforementioned "nickel" role from LeSean McCoy, who didn't earn any playing time at all Week 7. Fournette told Carmen Vitale of the Buccaneers' official site that his ankle is "100 percent" now, meaning he should be in line for a split of the RB reps with Jones moving forward.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jags' Marrone planning bye week shakeup amid losing streak

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone plans to shake things up during the team’s bye week

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arians feels Brown has matured, will be good fit for Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to their best start in 10 years and betting on Antonio Brown to not derail a promising season

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Successful return from injury Fournette (ankle) rushed 11 times for 50 yards and secured six of seven targets for 47 yards in the Buccaneers' 45-20 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Impact Making his return from what essentially amounted to a three-game absence -- Fournette played all of one snap in Week 5 and missed Weeks 4 and 6 altogether -- Fournette was very efficient on a per-carry basis while pacing the Buccaneers ground attack in rushing yardage. Fournette's backfield mate Ronald Jones still received two more carries, but Fournette's extensive involvement in the passing game was particularly noteworthy and could certainly help him continue to eat into Jones' playing time. The way the Tampa Bay backfield workload is split in a Week 8 Monday night showdown versus the Giants will be particularly worth monitoring.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Antonio Brown agrees to 1-year deal with Bucs

A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that suspended receiver Antonio Brown has agreed to return to the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year dea...

OCTOBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Full practice Wednesday Fournette (ankle) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Fournette sat out Weeks 4 and 6 and logged one snap on offense Week 5, but with a full session under his belt he's ready to get back into the Buccaneers' backfield mix. That said, Ronald Jones has racked up 71 touches over the last three games, so it remains to be seen how much Fournette will be utilized by coach Bruce Arians.

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers-Raiders Injury Report Oct. 21: Leonard Fournette Returns to Practice Fully The Buccaneers escaped Sunday's win over the Packers relatively unscathed and have minimal new concerns heading into Sunday night's game aga...

OCTOBER 21, 2020 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Bucs' defense doing its part to help Brady be successful

Tom Brady’s Buccaneers are evolving into a team with a strong defensive identity

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bucs inactives: Leonard Fournette out vs. Packers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced their list of inactive players for Sunday’s game against the undefeated Green Bay Packers, and they’ll be...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Leonard Fournette Injury Update Improves Ronald Jones Week 6 Fantasy Outlook Tampa Bay Buccaneer's running back Leonard Fournette is expected to be active and play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, but he will...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) inactive ahead of game vs. Packers Leonard Fournette is not able to go against the Packers. The Buccaneers running back, listed as questionable with an ankle injury and expect...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • NFL.COM

Not suiting up Week 6 Fournette (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Packers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Fournette will be sidelined for the second time in three games as a result of an ankle injury, despite practicing in a limited capacity all week. With the veteran RB in street clothes, expect Ronald Jones to pace Tampa Bay's backfield, per usual, with LeSean McCoy and Ke'Shawn Vaughn available as change-of-pace options.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tampa Bay's Godwin, Green Bay's Adams return from injuries

Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin and Green Bay’s Davante Adams are back in the lineup after missing time because of hamstring injuries

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leonard Fournette Injury Update Improves Ronald Jones Week 6 Fantasy Outlook Tampa Bay Buccaneer's running back Leonard Fournette is expected to be active and play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, but he will...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Why Ronald Jones, not Leonard Fournette, is better to get Tom Brady and Buccaneers to a Super Bowl Ronald Jones II has put together consecutive 100-yard games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, proving it'll be he and not Leonard Fournette tryi...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Likely limited Sunday Fournette (ankle) is expected to play but may be limited Sunday against the Packers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was active for Week 5 but was only available in an emergency capacity, and he's clearly still not 100 percent due to the ankle injury. It appears Fournette will be suiting up again Sunday and should have a role in the offense, but it may not be a significant one. LeSean McCoy (ankle) is clear of an injury designation while Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are fully healthy, so there's no real reason for the Bucs to rush him back unnecessarily.

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Injury Updates: Is Leonard Fournette playing this week? Is Leonard Fournette playing this week? Get the latest injury updates on Fournette ahead of the Buccaneers' Week 6 game against the Packers...

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Listed as questionable Fournette (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Fournette technically was active last Thursday while nursing the same injury, but he was only available in an emergency capacity and played his lone snap on a kneel-down. The Bucs likely will just put him on the inactive list if he isn't ready to play this weekend, as LeSean McCoy (ankle) has been cleared to return, joining Ronald Jones and Ke'Shawn Vaughn in the backfield. For fantasy purposes, Fournette should probably be treated as a game-time decision ahead of the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, though active status won't come with any guarantees in terms of workload.

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again at practice The Buccaneers listed Fournette (ankle) as a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Impact Though he has yet to put in a full practice Week 6, Fournette still finds himself in a better spot health wise than he did prior to last Thursday's loss to the Bears. Fournette was listed as a non-participant on all three practice reports leading up to that contest but was still active, though he played only one offensive snap. As such, he should be on track to play this weekend against the Packers, but it's uncertain how extensively he'll be involved in the game plan behind top running back Ronald Jones.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to start week Fournette (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Fournette was active for last Thursday's loss to the Bears, despite being listed as a non-participant in practice all week. He only played one offensive snap against Chicago, but his limited listing in practice to begin Week 6 hints at increased involvement in Sunday's game versus the Packers. Of course, given that Ronald Jones has put together back-to-back 100-plus yard rushing performances, Fournette could find himself relegated to a clear backup role even if fully healthy.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AP Sportlight

Sportlight for Oct. 22, 2020

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

 Sportlight for week: Oct. 18-24, Take 2

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Spotted at practice Fournette was present for Tuesday's practice, donning no brace or protective taping on his injured ankle, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Despite being listed as a non-participant on all three of the Buccaneers' practices last week due to the ankle injury, Fournette was active for the team's 20-19 loss to the Bears. However, he may have only been available in an emergency, as he logged just one offensive snap while Ke'Shawn Vaughn (18 snaps) worked as the top backup to Ronald Jones. While the extent of Fournette's participation in practice won't be known until the Buccaneers release their first Week 6 injury report Wednesday, his presence on the field Tuesday with no protection on the ankle suggests he could be ready to take on an increased role in Sunday's game against the Packers. Regardless of Fournette's status, Jones could still be ticketed for the bulk of the carries, as he's looked impressive while running for 100-plus yards in back-to-back weeks.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jones goes over 100 yards again for Bucs in loss to Bears

Tampa Bay signed LeSean McCoy and Leonard Fournette in the offseason, but Ronald Jones has been the Buccaneers' best running back so far

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Evans, Miller, Fournette available for Bucs against Bears

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans and Scott Miller are active for the Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears, as is running back Leonard Fournette

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS