LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette probably won’t play against the Missouri Tigers because of an ankle injury, but remains a ‘game-time decision’.
The LSU Tigers have had a massively disappointing start to their 2016 NCAA season. They’ve begun the year 2-2 (1-1) and have had to fire former head coach Les Miles. Interim head coach Ed Orgeron has a tough decision to make on Saturday night: does he play injured running back Leonard Fournette?
According to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate, Fournette is “unlikely to play” versus the Missouri Tigers, but is still “a game-time decision”. Does Orgeron roll the dice and play his best player not at full strength in a lost LSU season?
Source at #LSU says a decision on RB Leonard Fournette has yet to be made but that he's unlikely to play. Still a "game-time decision."
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 1, 2016
Fournette injured his ankle in the Tigers’ Week 4 loss at Auburn last weekend. That was the game that ultimately cost Miles and former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron their jobs. Fournette is a certain top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but running backs only have so many hits left in them before they rapidly expire.
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Orgeron may push for Fournette to play, as it would help him have a shot at getting the LSU gig full-time next season. However, Fournette isn’t play college football next year and has to do what’s best for his NFL Draft stock.
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The Tigers’ offense has been pitiful outside of Fournette in 2016. There is a good chance that LSU is upset by an on-the-rise Missouri team on Saturday. While LSU wouldn’t want to see Fournette play on Saturday night, he’s probably not going to play in this one. LSU should still be able to beat Missouri without Fournette in its backfield.