On the lookout for a new opportunity before the regular season starts, Leonard Fournette has a visit lined up. The veteran running back will meet with the Colts today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Fournette spent time with the Bills last season, making a pair of appearances. The 29-year-old received only 12 carries, and after being inactive during the wild-card round of the playoffs he was released from Buffalo’s practice squad in advance of the divisional round. That move set up a lengthy free agent spell which is ongoing.
The LSU product changed agents this summer as part of his bid to find a new opportunity. Training camps have come and gone without interest developing, however, so Fournette faces a challenge to sign with a team ahead of Week 1. If today’s visit were to produce a deal, he would provide experienced depth in Indianapolis’ backfield. The former Jaguar and Buccaneer has two 1,000-yard rushing seasons on his resume, and his time as a starter in Tampa Bay yielded productive campaigns in 2021 and ’22. His value has certainly taken a major hit recently, though.
The Colts have Jonathan Taylor in place atop the depth chart, but the team’s options behind him face questions. Zack Moss departed in free agency, meaning Taylor will need to remain healthy upon handling workhorse duties in 2024, the final year of his $42MM extension which includes guaranteed salary. Indianapolis also has Trey Sermon (who has dealt with a hamstring injury this summer) and Tyler Goodson (who was on the field for 50 snaps as a rookie in 2023) in place as things stand. Evan Hull was cut last week but brought back on a practice squad deal.
As Mike Chappell of Fox59 reports, Fournette is one of several players the Colts are auditioning on Monday. It will be interesting to see if any of those workouts result in a deal in advance of Week 1. Indianapolis currently has just over $15MM in cap space, so a low-cost move for Fournette or players at other positions would be feasible.
I think Fournette could be a short yardage specialist on some teams but beyond that the only thing he brings to the table is outstanding ball security.
If there was ever a good locker room, glue guy Fournette is it 😉
I was looking up career numbers on available running backs, and I was surprised to see that Fournette has only averaged over four yards per carry twice in seven seasons. I think Latavius Murray would be a better option, but beyond that, they would have to raid another team’s practice squad, like Boston Scott with the Steelers.
I think Chris Ballard would call Boston Pizza rather than Boston Scott.
Fournette in the past has brought a second skillset as a receiver to complement his running. In the last few years he’s lost a step, amid some rumors of poor conditioning. You’re right, he’s a player that most would assume has averaged better, but a lot of his value in the past also came from the threat he posed as a receiver as well. Most backs can do that nowadays, but not all bigger backs do it well.
He’s a good third down guy
Why not add a cheap veteran with championship experience. It’s not like the colts have a ton of depth at RB.
Runs like he’s got piano on back. All those miles on those legs even goin back to lsu. Was bellcow for alota seasons n ol man time never loses. Good luck @tryout !