The Colts are looking to bolster their running back room just six days before their 2024 regular season opener against the Houston Texans.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Indianapolis is hosting veteran running back Leonard Fournette on Monday.
Fournette, 29, spent time on the Buffalo Bills practice squad last season, appearing in just two games and rushing for 40 yards.
However, a fresh start could be all he needs entering his eighth season in the NFL. The No. 4 overall pick in 2017 was productive in his three seasons with the Buccaneers, with whom he won Super Bowl LV with.
From 2020-22, Fournette rushed for 1,847 yards and 17 touchdowns while also reeling in 178 catches for 1,210 yards and five touchdowns.
If the Colts do sign Fournette, he will likely start on their practice squad, but he could provide some much-needed depth to the running back room.
Jonathan Taylor is undoubtedly Indianapolis’ lead back, but behind him are running backs Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull, none of whom have the experience or production Fournette has had.
Whether or not Fournette can still play at a high level is up for debate, but the Colts wouldn’t need him to be the guy.
That is Taylor after signing a three-year, $42 million contract extension last October.
Taylor only rushed for 741 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, but that came in 10 games since he began the year on the physically unable to perform list as he was in a contract standoff.
That, of course, won’t happen again with Taylor now paid, but Fournette could prove to be a valuable addition if something else were to keep Taylor sidelined once again.
Fournette has rushed for 4,518 yards and 34 touchdowns in his seven-year NFL career. He has also caught 312 passes for 2,219 yards and seven touchdowns.
