Apr 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs for a gain during the Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard Fournette’s Heisman Trophy campaign just got a scare!
The LSU running back is in a walking boot after spraining an ankle during the Tigers’ scrimmage on Tuesday. He reportedly suffered the injury when a teammate landed on the back of his leg during the scrimmage. Relieved head coach Les Miles says the injury as minor.
He told ESPN, “Fournette got a slight sprain and is in a boot, and so we’re getting some of the healing going. I don’t know [when he’ll be back] at this point, but I know it’s not. … In his words, he’ll be fine.”
On the strength of his 2015 season, Fournette is ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s preseason 2016 Heisman Watch. He broke single-season school records rushing for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns. So he’s going into this year as the best running back draft prospect as well.Derrius Guice will move up to first-team running back until Fournette recovers. The sophomore rushed for 445 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games as a freshman last season. Defensive end Christian LaCouture for the season with and ACL tear, and linebacker Corey Thompson out another month with a leg injury. LSU opens the season against Wisconsin on Sept. 3 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. So the last thing the team needed was another injury to a key player, especially Fournette. And the last thing Fournette needed was an injury to ruin his Heisman hopes and draft status.
Coach Miles, LSU, and Fournette have God to thank that the injury isn’t too serious.
