LSU coach Les Miles expects to have star running back Leonard Fournette back for the Tigers’ game vs. Mississippi State on Saturday.
Miles said Wednesday it was “full speed ahead” for Fournette during that day’s practice. Fournette missed the team’s game vs. Jacksonville State in Week 2 because of an ankle injury he re-tweaked vs. Wisconsin.
Miles says Leonard Fournette practiced today. "Full speed ahead." #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 14, 2016
LM: Leonard Fournette had a full practice today. He’s full speed ahead.
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 14, 2016
Fournette, who had 1,953 yards in 2015 and scored 22 touchdowns, dealt with a sprained ankle in the preseason and was photographed helping Baton Rouge flooding victims while wearing a walking boot. He played well against Wisconsin, but limped off the field in pain after he took an awkward hit in the second half. He finished the game with 23 carries for 138 yards and had three catches for 38 yards.
Running backs Derrius Guice and Derrel Williams filled in for Fournette in the 34-13 win vs. Jacksonville State. Guice ran for 155 yards on 19 carries while Williams had three carries and three catches.
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“We’re going to be very cognizant of how Leonard feels and what’s going on with his health,” Miles said Monday regarding Fournette’s status moving forward. “But we’re fortunate to use a running back by committee with Leonard missing. I think it kept Derrius fresh and Darrel (Williams) fresh, and we got some other guys in. I think we’re fortunate to have real quality backs to turn to when you have a guy like Leonard Fournette out. We are looking forward, though, to seeing him return.”
If Fournette starts vs. Mississippi State, it’ll be his first start with quarterback Danny Etling. The Purdue transfer came on in relief of starter Brandon Harris vs. Jacksonville State and will start against the Bulldogs.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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