Former Buccaneers Super Bowl Champion Running Back Cut From Buffalo Bills

The former Buccaneer won't be part of Buffalo's playoff run.

Dustin Lewis | Jan 16, 2024

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already advanced farther into the postseason than some former players on the roster. That includes one former Super Bowl champion with the franchise who is now out of the playoffs even though his team is still competing for a title.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Buffalo Bills have decided to release veteran running back Leonard Fournette from their practice squad. Fournette signed with Buffalo in October but was only elevated for two games during the regular season. He rushed 12 times for 40 yards, including seven attempts that netted 20 yards in the finale against the Miami Dolphins.

That means the Bills will be preparing to host the Kansas City Chiefs without the services of Fournette. Buffalo will continue to rely on second-year breakout running back James Cook to carry the load. The younger brother of All-Pro Dalvin Cook has recorded double-digit carries in 16 of his 18 appearances (including playoffs) this season.

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Fournett's value is on the decline after his unproductive stint in Buffalo and previous release by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's averaged 3.5 yards per carry over the last two years, down from a career-high average of 4.5 yards per rush in 2021. Though he's just 28 years old, the shelf life for running backs has diminished rapidly around the league.

It's only been three years since Fournette's legendary playoff run with the Buccaneers helped the team capture Super Bowl LV. He rushed 64 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns while catching 18 passes for 148 yards and another score. Fournette scored against all four teams that Tampa Bay faced in the postseason while averaging over 100 total yards per game.

The seventh-year pro has suited up for three teams since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. During his career, he's rushed 1144 times for 4,518 yards with 34 touchdowns. He's also caught 312 passes for 2,219 yards for seven more scores. The former LSU star was a consensus All-American and All-SEC selection in college.

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Published Jan 16, 2024

DUSTIN LEWIS

Lewis joined BucsGameday when it was founded in 2022. He's also the Editor-In-Chief of NoleGameday. A graduate of Florida State, Lewis has worked for NG since 2016.