With LSU failing to establish itself as a contender before their season could really get underway, there's no question Leonard Fournette should rest as much as possible before hitting the ground on Sundays next season.
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Related: LSU continues to get bad news about RB Leonard Fournette
He suffered what reporters called a high ankle sprain in LSU's season-opener, a loss to Wisconsin. The star running back, projected to be a top-10 pick in next year's NFL Draft, missed the proceeding game, and pushed through the pain to beat Mississippi State before playing in a losing effort to Auburn.
Fournette, by all indications, is still suffering from the injury, but that hasn't stopped speculation on why he hasn't played through it and why the standout back may not have dressed for a rivalry game against Florida last Saturday.
Leonard Fournette likely to sit this weekend against UF, wouldn't be surprised if he takes the majority of LSU's season off to prep for NFL
— Shae Peppler Cornette (@shaepeppler) October 5, 2016
Will missing snaps in 2016 help #LSU's Leonard Fournette have a longer, better #NFL career? #CFB #NFLDraft https://t.co/flFGfbso9b
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) October 5, 2016
Leonard Fournette (ankle/cash) very doubtful for LSU today...as he begins preparations for the NFL Scouting Combine, some 5 months from now
— Rick Kamla (@RickKamlaSports) October 1, 2016
After Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams combined for combined for 293 yards on the ground against Missouri (adding to the 418 yard rushing total), the Tigers appear set at running back even without Fournette.
With just two big-time games left on the schedule (Ole Miss, then Alabama), we should see less (if any) of Fournette. A win over Alabama may hand over the full-time coaching job to Ed Orgeron, which could entice Fournette to at least give it a go against the Crimson Tide.
Whether LSU makes the call to hold Fournette back remains to be seen, but the consensus remains it would be the right one to keep the star back fresh. He's certainly got bigger and better things to do once he turns pro.
