LSU star tailback Leonard Fournette has been dealing with lingering injuries this season that have kept him out of several games but his issues might be even more serious than simply getting banged up.
According to a report from SEC Country’s Will Carroll, a source told him Fournette’s ankle injury is a chronic problem and “one that will need constant maintenance or perhaps surgery in the future.”
While the injury is not expected to keep him out against Florida this week, it could affect Fournette’s draft stock when he eventually declares for the NFL after the season. The junior is considered to be a top draft prospect and one of the best tailbacks of the last few years. A chronic issue such as this one certainly could cause teams to look at him a bit differently however, even if correctable by surgery.
Fournette has 803 rushing yards on the season despite missing key portions of several games and not playing in three full contests. He tweaked the ankle again against Arkansas but is expected to close out LSU’s home schedule against the Gators this week.
Backup Derrius Guice has more than picked up the slack for the Tigers offense with Fournette on the bench and put up a career-high 252 yards last week.