Leonard Fournette injury update: Week 12 fantasy outlook, return status vs opposition team

Leonard Fournette, better known around the NFL as Playoff Lenny, is an American running back who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fournette was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars straight out of Louisiana State University in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Since then, Fournette has been up and about the NFL, playing for both the Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since his 2017 debut, Fournette has been one of the more decent running backs in the league.

The 2022 NFL season is his sixth year in the league and third with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Playoff Lenny has been usually available for the Bucs, acting as Tom Brady's safety blanket whenever the GOAT QB doubts what to do.

However, Fournette suffered a hip pointer in the second half of the Bucs' Week 11 game and reportedly is still dealing with significant pain. This makes him an injury doubt for their Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Leonard Fournette's fantasy outlook

Leonard Fournette has been in decent to great form all season, with the sixth-year pro ranking as the 16th-best running back according to the official NFL Fantasy League. He has not missed any games due to injury this season, but that streak might be broken in the Bucs' next NFL match.

Fournette's status will officially be a game-time decision on Sunday, and he could practice in a limited fashion all week. Still, there isn't much optimism that Fournette will be able to suit up on Sunday, leaving Rachaad White as the primary option out of the backfield vs. the Browns.

Leonard Fournette's return status

Fournette is currently struggling with a hip injury, which is a nightmare for offensive NFL players and even worse for running backs. This is got to sting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Leonard Fournette is a massive part of their identity and how they run the football.

However, Bucs fans do not have to worry too much, as the LSU alum will likely be back to his best just in time for the 2022 NFL playoffs. You can thus expect Playoff Lenny to be back in Week 12 or 13 as he looks to guide his team to another postseason appearance.

Leonard Fournette's 2022 season

Leonard Fournette has been having a typically solid season. This is something that Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have grown to expect since he helped take their team to Super Bowl glory in the 2020 NFL season.

The year six veteran is the leader of the Tampa Bay backfield, and this season he has played like a true leader.

Fournette has a stat line of 135 rush attempts, 462 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and an average of three yards per carry. He also has been an aerial threat, pulling down a career-high three receiving touchdowns in just 10 games this season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.