Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense could be more shorthanded than expected in Week 4.
After a poor showing in Week 1, the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers performed up to their high expectations in their past two games against the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. This past Sunday, however, the offense took a massive hit as receiver Chris Godwin was diagnosed with a hamstring injury. Godwin may not be the only big name on offense that will miss the contest.
During an appearance on “SiriusXM NFL Radio,” head coach Bruce Arians said he wasn’t optimistic about running back Leonard Fournette playing this weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers due to an ankle injury.
Fournette dealing with ankle ailment after poor showing in Week 3
Arians expressed this belief after Fournette was held out of practice on Wednesday due to said ankle injury. It’s unknown if said injury occurred during their game against Denver this past weekend.
Prior to the start of the NFL regular-season, Fournette was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after failing to find a trade partner willing to give a quality return. Fournette signed with the Buccaneers shortly afterward to play alongside Brady and join the team’s loaded offense.
Fournette didn’t make much of an impact in their regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints, as he rushed for a total of five yards on five carries. Week 2 was a different story for Fournette, as he accumulated 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries against the rival Panthers. Looking like he was on the verge of securing the starter’s role, Fournette fell back down to Earth, as he rushed for 15 yards on seven carries against the Broncos.
With Arians hinting at Fournette missing this weekend’s contest against the Chargers, Ronald Jones will likely get all of the carries. Take note, fantasy football fans. Even so, it’s far from ideal to lose Fournette after the team found out that they’ll be without Godwin for a significant period of time. But, they’ll have to battle through, just like the other 31 teams in the league in this COVID-era of football.