Tag: Fournette

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) reportedly worked out for the Patriots on Wednesday. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Patriots host free agent RB Leonard Fournette

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent running back Leonard Fournette worked out for the New England Patriots on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

New England had been in the running to sign Fournette in free agency in 2021 before he opted to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rhamondre Stevenson, a fourth-round pick in 2021 and a 1,000-yard rusher last season, is under contract through 2024 and is the presumed starter at running back entering the 2023 season.

The Buccaneers are rebuilding their offense without Tom Brady and Fournette. Brady retired in February “for good” and Fournette was released on March 17 in a cap-related move with the Bucs pleased with the job Rachaad White did as the starter beginning in Week 10 last season.

Fournette had signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bucs in 2022. He rushed for 668 yards and three touchdowns and added 73 catches for 523 yards and three scores in 16 games (nine starts).

Fournette, 28, has rushed for 4,478 yards and 34 touchdowns and added 312 catches for 2,219 yards and seven TDs in 79 career games (61 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19) and Buccaneers. He was selected by the Jaguars with the fourth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of LSU.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs release RB Leonard Fournette, TE Cameron Brate

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially released running back Leonard Fournette and tight end Cameron Brate on Friday.

Fournette, 28, signed a three-year, $21 million extension prior to the 2022 season. He rushed for 668 yards and three touchdowns and added 73 catches for 523 yards and three scores in 16 games (nine starts).

Fournette has rushed for 4,478 yards and 34 touchdowns and added 312 catches for 2,219 yards and seven scores in 79 career games (61 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buccaneers. He was selected by the Jaguars with the fourth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of LSU.

Fournette was supplanted by then-rookie Rachaad White as the starter in Week 10. His pre-June 1 release saves a reported $3.5 million against the salary cap.

Cutting ties with Brate, 31, reportedly clears another $2 million in cap space.

An undrafted free agent out of Harvard in 2014, Brate spent parts of nine seasons with the Buccaneers.

He was limited to 20 catches for 174 yards in 11 games last season. He sustained a concussion in Week 4 and was later taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury in Week 7.

Brate totaled 273 catches for 2,857 yards and 33 touchdowns in 126 career games with the Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette added to injury report

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Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette hit the injury report Thursday and was limited in practice due to a foot injury.

His status for Tampa’s Week 14 game with the San Francisco 49ers is uncertain.

Fournette, 27, missed Week 12 with a hip pointer before returning Monday with 16 total touches in Tampa Bay’s win over the New Orleans Saints.

The 49ers are No. 1 in the NFL against the run, with 907 yards allowed and 3.4 yards per carry.

Fournette, in a co-op in the Bucs’ backfield with rookie Rachaad White, has a team-high 511 rushing yards this season. He has 57 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns.

White emerged as a threat to Fournette’s starting job during the 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in London. Fournette scored a touchdown in the game, but after nearly missing the trip due to a passport issue, he was slowed by the hip injury.

White rushed 22 times for 105 yards.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard (25) holds off Philadelphia Eagles free safety Marcus Epps (22) in the third quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs backs: Giovani Bernard in, Leonard Fournette out

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The Buccaneers activated Giovani Bernard on Saturday and ruled fellow running back Leonard Fournette out for Sunday’s game at Cleveland.

Tampa Bay designated Bernard to return to practice on Monday. He had been on injured reserve since Sept. 21 after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 2.

Bernard, who turned 31 on Tuesday, had one kickoff return for 14 yards through the first two games this season. He played 11 snaps, all on special teams.

He has rushed for 3,755 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 365 passes for 2,990 yards and 14 scores in 129 NFL games (30 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2013-20) and Tampa Bay.

Rookie running back Rachaad White will make his second straight start when the Buccaneers (5-5) visit the Browns (3-7), with Fournette missing his first game of the season.

Fournette sustained a hip pointer in the second half of the Nov. 13 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Munich, Germany, but did not make enough progress during Tampa Bay’s bye week to get on the field this weekend.

Fournette, 27, has rushed for 462 yards and three scores in 10 games this season, his third campaign with the Bucs and sixth in the NFL.

White, 23, carried 22 times for a season-high 105 yards against the Seahawks. He has 357 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in 10 games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and safety Marcus Maye (6) get into a penalty with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and they are ejected after the play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL levies fines for Saints-Buccaneers skirmish

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The NFL fined Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette and New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore $13,367 each for their part in a skirmish between the teams last Sunday, NFL Network reported.

Bucs wideout Mike Evans was suspended Monday by the league for his involvement. He will serve the suspension on Sunday when the Bucs (2-0) host the Green Bay Packers (1-1).

The incident came with 12:49 left in the Buccaneers’ 20-10 victory.

After Lattimore began jawing at Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, Fournette pushed Lattimore away and Lattimore pushed back. Evans joined the fray — shoving and leveling Lattimore — and engaged with other Saints before the dust settled.

Evans and Lattimore were ejected.

Brady was not fined, NFL Network reported Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Saints RB Alvin Kamara out, Bucs RB Leonard Fournette in

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Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette plans to play in Sunday’s game against the Saints, but New Orleans is not planning to have top back Alvin Kamara for the Week 2 matchup.

New Orleans anticipates injured quarterback Jameis Winston (back) and backup running back Mark Ingram (ankle) to be on the field when the Saints host Tampa Bay.

Kamara is dealing with a rib injury and was questionable all week.

Fournette (hamstring), who rushed for 127 yards in Week 1, and wide receiver Mike Evans (calf) are both expected to play, but ESPN and NFL Network reported Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith (elbow) is out.

Pregame workouts are likely to determine whether Bucs wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) is given the green light.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with running back Leonard Fournette (7) after running the ball in for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa teammates thought Tom Brady would return

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When Tom Brady retired with a lengthy social media post, running back Leonard Fournette saw the next route coming: the reverse.

Brady, who spent just more than one month retired after the February announcement, was back in uniform with Fournette and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Fournette said it’s almost like Brady, 44, never left.

“He hasn’t lost a step. He is who he is,” Fournette said. “And me just being alongside him these three years, I wouldn’t want any other guy back there with us. He deserves everything he’s got and that’s coming to him. And I’m just proud of him.”

Brady said last week he felt pressure to make a decision on returning with free agency and the draft approaching.

Fournette figured Brady would be back after a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on a last-second field goal ended the Bucs’ season in the NFC divisional round in January.

“I kind of knew because I told him, I want to say two days after the game, I’m like, ‘T, we can’t go out like that.’ And he agreed with me,” Fournette said Tuesday. “Like, we left too many mistakes on the field that kind of messed us up and we were playing catch-up the whole game. So I think as a champion, I knew he wouldn’t want to go out like that for his legacy.”

Brady’s return was a magnet for fellow Buccaneers’ free agents, including Fournette, who re-signed on a three-year deal.

A reunion with Brady played in a role in the team’s most recent signing, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. Hicks played with the New Orleans Saints for his first three-plus seasons before a trade sent him to New England. After playing with the Patriots, Hicks spent six seasons with the Chicago Bears and contemplated retirement at age 32.

“Something I’ve thought of often is that when I came into the league I had Drew Brees and Tom Brady as my first two quarterbacks,” Hicks said Tuesday. “And then I went to Chicago … it wasn’t Drew Brees and Tom Brady, let me say that, right? I feel spoiled to have somebody on the other side of the ball that can deliver all the time, and he’s proven it over the years.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) run the ball for a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott (33) in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bucs RB Leonard Fournette signing 3-year, $21M deal

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed running back Leonard Fournette to a three-year, $21 million contract, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Fournette, who visited with the New England Patriots on Monday, will receive $11 million guaranteed and could earn up to $24 million with incentives, per the report.

Fournette, 27, gained 1,266 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 touchdowns in 14 games (13 starts) last season.

He has rushed for 3,810 yards and 31 touchdowns and caught 239 passes for 1,696 yards and four scores in 63 NFL games (52 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19) and Buccaneers.

In the postseason, “Playoff Lenny” has 593 rushing yards, 248 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. He had 135 yards from scrimmage and a TD in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV win against the Kansas City Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) talks to running back Ronald Jones (27) on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs out, C Ryan Jensen in vs. Rams

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All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs will miss the first game of his two-year NFL career on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional-round clash.

While Wirfs was ruled inactive, Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen has been cleared to play. Both sustained ankle injuries during the Buccaneers’ 31-15 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in last weekend’s wild-card game.

Running back Leonard Fournette returns from a four-game absence due to a hamstring strain for the Bucs. He was activated from injured reserve on Saturday.

Fournette rushed for team-high 812 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games this season. He also caught 69 passes for 454 yards and two scores.

Fournette was a force in the postseason last year. He ran for 300 yards and three TDs and caught 18 passes for 148 yards and one score as the Buccaneers won four straight games to win the Super Bowl.

In addition to Wirfs, Tampa Bay’s inactives include running back Ronald Jones II, cornerback Pierre Desir, quarterbacks Kyle Trask and Ryan Griffin, and wide receivers Cyril Grayson Jr. and Breshad Perriman.

The Rams listed offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Tremayne Anchrum Jr., safety Taylor Rapp, running back Buddy Howell, quarterback Bryce Perkins and linebackers Chris Garrett and Terrell Lewis as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is tackled by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs activate Leonard Fournette off IR, waive Le’Veon Bell

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated Leonard Fournette from injured reserve on Saturday and waived fellow running back Le’Veon Bell.

The move was made one day before the Buccaneers host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round playoff game.

Fournette, 27, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury he sustained on Dec. 19 against the New Orleans Saints. He missed the final three regular-season games as well as last weekend’s 31-15 playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fournette rushed for 812 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games this season. He also caught 69 passes for 454 yards and two scores.

Fournette was a force in the postseason last year when he rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 148 yards and one score as the Buccaneers won four straight games to win the Super Bowl.

Bell, 29, carried eight times for 18 yards and caught four passes for 31 yards in three games for Tampa Bay.

Bell was a three-time 1,000-yard rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers between 2013-17 before his career went downhill.

–Field Level Media