TAMPA, Florida – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are running back and New Orleans native Leonard Fournette will start against the New Orleans Saints in Sunday’s NFC divisional game, coach Bruce Arians said Friday.
The regular throw of Ronald Jones, who suffered a four-bed injury and missed last week’s wild card game against Washington, will be a “decision during the game,” Arians said.
“Ro, he has improved today – it will be a decision during the game,” Arians said after Friday’s training session, which was conducted indoors on the pitch. “But Leonard will start the game and we will see what Ro is like and the maximum speed, then he will take his normal representatives.”
Even if Jones, who returned to training on Thursday on a limited basis, can play, Fournette, who rushed 93 meters and attacked 39 meters receiving last week, will still open the game.
“It’s a fucking player and played very well last week,” said Arians about Fournette, who learned last week that it will start up just before the match. “I’ve trusted him all year.”
Fournette acknowledged the challenges of taking on a different role this season in Tampa Bay as a backup and described it as a “humiliating process,” while saying she “didn’t play as much as I used to.”
But he believes this step has helped prolong his career. He feels fresher than he has ever done in the past, ending the season, and feels less pressure when surrounded by Tampa Bay guns, including those in his own meeting room.
“At first, I looked bad if I didn’t get the ball, but in the end it helps my longevity in my career,” said Fournette, who was personally recruited by Tom Brady when he was released from Jacksonville. Brady texted him, telling him that Bucs could use his help.
“I felt this was the perfect decision for me,” said Fournette, who turned down another opportunity to go to a team that would have been the focal point of the offense. “I like it here, to be honest. We have a brotherhood that is doing well right now. We straighten our tails every day to make ourselves better.”
The Aryans praised Fournette for embracing a different kind of role and putting the team first.
“It was great. As soon as he got here, I explained what the situation was, ‘Your role can change at the drop of a hat,'” Arians said. “Just like last week. And ‘Be ready.’ “He practiced hard, he’s prepared and I can’t say enough about him – he’s a player and he has a good job.”