LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announced on Wednesday that running back Leonard Fournette is still recovering from an ankle injury, and that the LSU star will likely miss LSU's next game against Southern Miss.
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For those thinking the obvious that Fournette may be sitting against an easy opponent to avoid further injury, guess again; Orgeron commented that Fournette hasn't practiced in weeks.
"I would not expect him to play," Orgeron said of TB Leonard Fournette (ankle) as far as USM Saturday. Has not practiced in weeks.
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) October 12, 2016
Fournette not being held out because it's Southern Miss.
"No, he's not ready." O said.— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) October 12, 2016
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Fournette entered the season as the heavy Heisman favorite, so it is obviously bad news for LSU that he will miss his third game of the season. The good news, though, is that backup Derrius Guice has looked fantastic in a featured role, so LSU doesn't necessarily need to rush Fournette back if they aren't comfortable putting him out there.
Fournette's ankle injury came in practices before the start of the season, but the star tailback was good to go in LSU's opener against Wisconsin. However, Fournette aggravated the injury late in that game, and it has since caused him and LSU more problems.
Fournette has 386 rushing yards and two touchdowns in three games this season. Guice, meanwhile, has 402 yards and four touchdowns on just 46 attempts.
