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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette missed practice on Wednesday, likely sending his fantasy football managers into a panic ahead of Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. Fournette appeared to be absent once again at practice Thursday, which could lead to a big fantasy opportunity for backup Ronald Jones II.
Ronald Jones would be in line for double digit touches and would be a viable flex if Fournette were to miss the game. This is the Sunday night game so be aware if you have Fournette. https://t.co/eHc4fBkIWl
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) December 16, 2021
Not only was Leonard Fournette not spotted at Buccaneers' practice Thursday, but that's two straight absences ahead of a game scheduled for Sunday night. In other words, it doesn't give fantasy football managers a whole lot of leeway when it comes to lineup decisions regarding Fournette, if he ultimately suits up.
If not, it's a big blow for fantasy football managers and the Buccaneers, as Fournette has compiled 778 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as the lead back in Tampa's high-scoring offense. Backup Ronald Jones, who has played second fiddle to Fournette all year for the Buccaneers, could finally get his fantasy football chance as the lead back if the former is out or limited.
Jones has been in Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians' doghouse before, but there's no doubting his fantasy ability, as this is a player who nearly ran for 1,000 yards last season and was arguably better than Fournette until the playoffs.
For insight on the Buccaneers' Week 15 matchup against the Saints, listen below:
Whether it's Fournette or Jones in the backfield for the Buccaneers, they'll have a tough task in front of them against a tough Saints run defense. New Orleans' defense has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, per NFL.com.
The Buccaneers' running back situation for fantasy football just got a whole lot more interesting between Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II after the recent update on Fournette.
