Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette, Pro Bowl C Ryan Jensen return to practice
Wednesday marked exactly one month since Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting running back Leonard Fournette last played in an NFL game. The 27-year-old former Jacksonville Jaguar was placed on injured reserve in December with a hamstring injury but was recently designated to return, signaling he could possibly be in the lineup for the Bucs' next playoff game.
On Thursday, the chances of No. 2 Tampa Bay unleashing "Playoff Lenny," at least in some capacity, when they host the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams on Sunday seemed to increase greatly.
Fournette is coming off of a productive second season with the Buccaneers — his first in the full-time starting role. He posted 180 rushing attempts for 812 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, while adding 69 receptions for 454 receiving yards and two scores through the air. Fournette's 4.5 yards per carry and 5.1 yards per touch were new career-highs, and his 10 all-purpose touchdowns tied his previous best mark, set during his rookie season in 2017.
Another piece of good news for Tampa Bay was seeing center Ryan Jensen return to practice. Both Jensen and right tackle Tristan Wirfs missed Wednesday's walkthrough. Both are nursing ankle injuries.
Jensen is in his eighth NFL season and fourth with the Buccaneers. He appeared in every regular-season contest for the fifth consecutive year in 2021 and recently earned his first career Pro Bowl honor.
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