HEADLINES

Leonard Fournette

CB Xavien Howard, RB Leonard Fournette Visit Bengals

November 11th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

12:57pm: Howard received an offer after his workout concluded, Garafolo notes in an update. No deal was reached between team and player, however. As a result, Howard will now resume training on his own as he awaits another opportunity.

9:53am: Xavien Howard has remained on the market past the trade deadline, and he has not been connected to any potential suitors since well before the regular season started. The former All-Pro corner is now on at least one team’s radar, however.

Howard is set to visit the Bengals today, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Cincinnati’s defense has been a sore spot during the year, and the team ranks 22nd against the pass. Adding in the secondary would thus come as no surprise, especially in the wake of Dax Hill‘s October ACL tear.

The Dolphins released Howard this offseason, and it quickly became clear a new Miami deal at a reduced rate would not be in the cards. The four-time Pro Bowler (and Houston native) expressed interest in joining the Texans, but that feeling did not turn out to be mutual. Despite being medically cleared in May, teams did not show interest in Howard; in spite of that, he has remained intent on suiting up at some point in 2024.

The 31-year-old was named in a lawsuit in July; criminal charges have not been sought up to this point but they could include sexual cyber harassment, invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts and intrusion of privacy if that were to be the case. A resolution has not arrived (at least publicly) in Howard’s legal situation, but the Bengals could look to add him depending on how today’s visit goes. The Baylor product has a relationship with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo dating back to their time together in Miami.

Howard is not the only veteran receiving a look in Cincinnati. Garafolo’s colleagues Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report Leonard Fournette is set for a free agent on Monday as well. The Bengals lost Zack Moss for the season due to a neck injury, something which prompted the trade acquisition of Khalil Herbert from the Bears. Herbert logged only two snaps in his Cincinnati debut, fumbling his first handoff with the team.

In Moss’ absence, Chase Brown has operated as the team’s lead back. Brown has recorded 40 carries and 14 receptions over the past two games, and he figures to maintain a heavy workload moving forward. Even with Herbert in place as a backup option, though, the team could afford to add further insurance in the backfield. Fournette made a pair of appearances with the Bills last season, but he saw only 12 carries during that time.

The 29-year-old met with the Colts just before the start of the regular season, but that visit did not produce an agreement. Fournette’s last sustained gig came during his three-year Buccaneers stint, one which ended in his release last February. He has topped 1,100 scrimmage yards four times in his career.

The Bengals currently have $8.32MM in cap space, so a modest deal for Howard and/or Fournette would be feasible from a financial standpoint. The team sits at 4-6 on the year, but additions on either side of the ball could assist in a late-season playoff push.

RB Leonard Fournette To Visit Colts

September 2nd, 2024 at 11:11am CST by Adam La Rose

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.

RB Leonard Fournette Eyeing Next NFL Gig

July 9th, 2024 at 5:23pm CST by Ben Levine

It took Leonard Fournette until October to find a job for the 2023 campaign. The veteran running back is hoping his current free agency stint doesn’t last nearly as long. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fournette intends to continue his NFL career and is hoping to catch on with a team before the start of the regular season.

To help in his pursuit of a 2024 gig, Fournette has hired Ari Nissim and Pat Capra as representation. Nissam told Schefter that his newest client is in the “best shape of his career,” and the agent expects Fournette to find “a new home soon.”

Fournette didn’t see a major drop in counting stats during his final season in Tampa Bay. The former fourth-overall pick finished the 2022 season with 1,191 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, a slight dip from his 1,266-yard, 10-touchdown campaign in 2021. After getting cut by the Buccaneers last February, Fournette garnered interest from the Patriots and Colts, but a deal didn’t end up materializing until midway through the season.

The veteran caught on with the Bills practice squad in late October, with Buffalo seeking a replacement for Damien Harris. Fournette was unable to knock James Cook nor Latavius Murray from their spots on the depth chart before he eventually earned a promotion late in the year. Fournette ended up getting into a pair of games with the Bills down the stretch, collecting 40 total yards on 12 touches. The running back was cut from Buffalo’s practice squad in January.

It’s been quiet for the 29-year-old this offseason, and teams will surely want to get a long look at their current RB options before pivoting to the free agency pool. Still, Fournette could be a solid option for a team seeking an experienced pass-catcher, with the veteran averaging more than 60 receptions per season between 2019 and 2022. Dalvin Cook is still awaiting a job, and Fournette is likely sitting in the second tier of free agent RBs alongside the likes of Murray, Cam Akers, and Kareem Hunt.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/16/24

January 16th, 2024 at 8:07pm CST by Ben Levine

As playoff teams prepare for the second round of the postseason, they continue to tinker with their practice squads:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Houston Texans

San Francisco 49ers

Leonard Fournette‘s brief stint with the Bills has come to an end. The veteran running back joined Buffalo’s practice squad in October, but it took him until Week 16 to make his season debut. Fournette ended up getting into a pair of games for the Bills, collecting 40 rushing yards on 12 attempts. He wasn’t active for the team’s playoff opener, and after reverting to the practice squad, he now finds himself a free agent.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/6/24

January 6th, 2024 at 8:33pm CST by Ely Allen

The last week of pregame transactions and gameday callups for several teams this season:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

  • Placed on IR: T Mike McGlinchey
  • Activated from IR: T Alex Palczewski
  • Signed to active roster: CB Art Green
  • Elevated: S Devon Key

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Placed on IR: TE Hunter Henry
  • Signed to active roster: TE La’Michael Pettway
  • Elevated: TE Matt Sokol, OL Andrew Stueber

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Several teams whose season is set to come to an end tomorrow have elected to move injured players to injured reserve in order to create roster spots for practice squad options, particularly those who have had their three gameday elevations exhausted. In the case of the Broncos, McGlinchey will see his debut campaign in the Mile High City come to a premature end. Signed to a five-year, $87.5MM deal, the 28-year-old was part of a revamped O-line which did not produce the desired rebound on offense. Manning his usual right tackle spot, McGlinchey was charged with eight sacks and 49 pressures allowed by PFF, resulting in an overall grade of 67.5.

While the Giants will have an interesting decision to make with respect to Xavier McKinney‘s future, they will have Pinnock on the books for at least one more season. The latter’s rookie contract is set to expire following the 2024 campaign, one in which he will no doubt remain a vital member of New York’s secondary. Pinnock has recorded 85 tackles, two interceptions (including a 102-yard pick-six), six pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles while logging over 1,000 defensive snaps this season. A return to health and a continuation of his 2023 level of play will be sorely needed next fall.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/23/23

December 23rd, 2023 at 7:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys 

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Bills will not have depth running back Ty Johnson available for tonight’s game, leading to the decision to elevate Fournette. The former Super Bowl champion will thus make his Buffalo debut, although with lead back James Cook in the lineup, Fournette will likely not receive many looks on offense. The latter has already returned a kickoff for the first time in his career, however.

Signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad last week, Ingram will also make his 2023 debut in Week 16. The 34-year-old last played during his Miami stint in 2022, during which time he started three games and recorded six sacks. With Jaelan Phillips out for the year, Ingram will look to once again give the Dolphins a rotational presence off the edge.

RB Leonard Fournette Addresses Bills Deal, Free Agent Interest

November 4th, 2023 at 9:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

Leonard Fournette will have to wait at least one week to make his Bills debut, but he has already spoken about the deal sending him to Buffalo to close out the season. The veteran back recently touched on his lengthy free agent process, which included suitors other than his new team.

“I had a couple teams reach out to me,” Fournette said, via Nick Wojton of BillsWire. “But I really wanted to do what’s best for me, a fresh start out here in Buffalo. I have a lot left in the tank to play, it was all about the right opportunity.”

The 28-year-old joined the Bills’ practice squad this week, but as is the case with many veterans, he is expected to soon see time as a least a gameday elevation to the active roster. Fournette will look to earn a workload behind lead back James Cook in conjunction with fellow veteran Latavius Murray. Damien Harris currently finds himself on IR, so a depth role should be attainable for Fournette in the short term at a minimum.

It came as no surprise that the 28-year-old finalized a deal with Buffalo, given Harris’ absence and their previously-arranged visit. That was ultimately canceled, but Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed when speaking to the media after the agreement that the sides remained in contact. Now that a deal is in place, it will be interesting to see how much Fournette is used down the stretch and thus the degree to which he can help his free agent value ahead of 2024.

The Super Bowl winner averaged exactly 4.0 yards per carry with both the Jaguars and Buccaneers during his three-year stints with each franchise, serving as a focal point of Tampa Bay’s offense in the postseason during the team’s title run. However, Fournette received little interest during the offseason (one in which the RB position as a whole saw its finanal valuation continue to decline) after his Buccaneers release, having to wait deep into the campaign to find a deal. While his remarks indicate that was partially by choice, he will no doubt need to produce at a notable level in the coming weeks to generate a larger market for his services in the spring.

Bills To Sign RB Leonard Fournette

October 30th, 2023 at 12:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a seven-plus-month stay in free agency, Leonard Fournette has found a new home. The former top-five pick agreed to terms with the Bills on Monday, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets.

Fournette will join a Bills team that recently placed Damien Harris on IR. While this will be a practice squad deal for the former Jaguars and Buccaneers back, it would certainly not surprise if Fournette suited up soon. Teams continually use the P-squad as a bridge to bring veterans onto active rosters, and Schultz indicates that will be the plan here.

This agreement comes after an interesting news cycle, one that featured a report indicating the Bills planned to meet with Fournette and another confirming no such visit took place. Nevertheless, the Bills had the seventh-year back on their radar. Fournette will join a backfield housing James Cook and Latavius Murray.

He of two 1,000-yard seasons in Jacksonville and a key role in Tampa, Fournette profiles as an interesting piece for the Buffalo offense. The Bills had added Harris on a one-year, $1.77MM accord in March. But the neck injury he sustained in Week 6 changed the team’s plans. Harris had worked as a Cook complementary piece, taking handoffs near the goal line at points. Murray has been a between-the-tackles supporting-caster as well, and the Bills have rolled with a Cook-Murray tandem since the Harris injury. It is unclear if Harris will return this season, but the Bills have insurance going forward.

When the Bucs released Fournette in February, it was described as a mutual separation. But Fournette languished in free agency for much of the year and did not land a deal until midseason. The LSU product worked out for the Patriots and was on the Colts’ radar during their period with both Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss out of the picture. No deals commenced; both teams brought in other backs. Fournette, 28, should at least be fresh after taking half the season off. He also has not topped 200 carries in a season since his final Jaguars slate (2019).

Choosing Fournette over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in 2017, the Jaguars did benefit from the power runner in the late 2010s. Fournette drove a Jags offense down Allen Robinson to the AFC championship game, but a falling out transpired that led to a summer 2020 release. The Bucs used Fournette primarily as a backup during the 2020 regular season, but the “Playoff Lenny” moniker soon took hold, with the free agency pickup totaling 448 scrimmage yards in four Bucs postseason efforts that year. Fournette supplanted Jones as the Bucs’ starter and held that job for two more seasons.

After a productive 2021, the Bucs gave Fournette a three-year, $21MM deal in March 2022. This mirrored the contract the Cardinals handed James Conner. While the latter remains attached to those terms, Fournette had to settle for a P-squad pact that will turn into veteran-minimum money if/once he lands on Buffalo’s active roster. The Bucs guaranteed Fournette $9MM at signing, and he earned $27MM fully guaranteed on his Jags rookie deal. Hitting free agency during a brutal time for the RB position, Fournette will now attempt to re-establish his value as a Bills role player.

RB Leonard Fournette Will Not Visit Bills

October 17th, 2023 at 8:30am CST by Ely Allen

OCTOBER 17: Fournette will not, in fact be heading to Buffalo today. Schultz notes that the Bills expected to lose Ty Johnson off their practice squad, but since that is not happening, they will not host Fournette for an audition. The latter has still received interest from a number of teams, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports, but he does not have any visits lined up at this point.

OCTOBER 16: After receiving some promising news about running back Damien Harris, who was taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering a “neck sprain” last night, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the team is still dealing with the fact that they may be without him for a period of time. With Nyheim Hines suffering a season-ending injury before the season even began, this leaves the Bills with only James Cook and Latavius Murray as healthy active roster running backs.

Enter free agent running back Leonard Fournette. Schultz claims that Fournette has informed him that he will be visiting the Bills‘ facility tomorrow. After three years each with the Jaguars and Buccaneers, Fournette has been a free agent since being released by Tampa Bay in February.

Fournette hasn’t been quiet in his free agency, fielding calls from the Patriots, who would end up signing Ezekiel Elliott, and Colts, who found a resurgent break out from Zack Moss. He’s been ready, though, staying in good enough shape to perform at workouts, the newest of which will be in Buffalo tomorrow.

So far this season, the Bills have essentially used Cook as a workhorse, utilizing Harris and Murray to spell Cook for short periods. Murray has proven to be plenty serviceable as a backup running back over the years, but at 33 years old, he doesn’t have quite the same tread remaining as the 28-year-old Fournette.

Fournette could come in and provide the Bills with a true RB2 who can do a bit more than just give Cook a breather. Fournette would have a chance at coming in and actually earning snaps in certain situations. As for the likelihood of this opportunity, Schultz claims that “there’s a good chance (Fournette) signs in Buffalo if all goes well.”

Colts In Communication With RBs Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette

September 15th, 2023 at 8:55am CST by Adam La Rose

With their Jonathan Taylor-less backfield still in flux due to injuries, the Colts remain interested in a free agent addition at the running back spot. As a result, they are in talks with two of the top options still available.

Indianapolis has communicated with both Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The former met with the Colts last month as part of his late-offseason free agent tour, though no deal materialized. Hunt also drew interest from the Saints and Vikings, but they too elected not to sign him in advance of the regular season.

The former Chief and Brown was reported to have received four offers around the time of final roster cuts, but he has remained patient on the open market. Hunt would have a path to immediate playing time with the Colts for the time being, giving the absence of Taylor until at least Week 5. That is the earliest point at which the 2021 rushing champion can suit up in Indianapolis, though a trade sending him elsewhere is still in the cards. A lead role will be unlikely for Hunt in 2023, however, barring further injury developments around the league.

The same holds true for Fournette, whose release request was granted by the Buccaneers in February. The 28-year-old lost his starting role to Rachaad White in the 2022 campaign, and in the wake of Tom Brady‘s retirement, he favored a fresh start. Not much in the way of interest was shown in him through the offseason, however, with the Patriots hosting him on a workout but coming away unimpressed with his conditioning. It will be interesting to see if the Colts’ interest rises to the point of bringing him in for a free agent visit in the near future.

Indianapolis lost another member of its backfield in Week 1 with Evan Hull suffering a knee injury. He is now on IR and will thus miss at least the next four weeks of the season. The fifth-round rookie’s absence adds to Taylor’s stay on the PUP list, and questions remain regarding when Zack Moss will be able to suit up after recovering from a broken arm. The Colts worked out Darrell Henderson earlier this week, so Hunt and Fournette will have competition for a roster spot if they match the team’s interest in a potential deal. In any case, a move at the RB spot could be coming soon in Indianapolis.

Load More Posts