NFL Trade Rumors: Indianapolis Colts Hosting Running Back Leonard Fournette

The Indianapolis Colts are finally looking for some help at running back. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts are visiting with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette.

Former Buccaneers and Bills RB Leonard Founette is visiting today with the Indianapolis Colts, per source. pic.twitter.com/PIHyXi7ztv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2024

Fournette entered the league as the Jaguars' fourth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft but never quite lived up to that billing. He totalled 2631 rushing yards at a modest 4.0 yards per attempt over three seasons before the Jaguars eventually parted ways with him ahead of the 2020 season.

Fournette then caught on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he proved a useful roleplayer on their 2020 Super Bowl squad. He accumulated 3057 yards from scrimmage over three seasons before again finding himself a free agent entering the 2023 season. He contributed a mere 40 rushing yards at a plodding 3.3 yards per attempt over two appearances with the Buffalo Bills.

If the Colts sign Fournette, it will likely be only as a backup and to occasionally spell 2021 All-Pro Jonathan Taylor. Still, Taylor has missed 16 of a possible 34 games since that breakout 2021 season, so there could be significant touches to go around, particularly given the Colts' lack of a known quantity on their depth chart.

Ultimately, even if Fournette does eventually get a path to playing time, it would likely go badly for the Colts. He turned 29 in January and has averaged 3.5 yards per attempt since 2022. Relying on Fournette is a dicey prospect in fantasy and reality.