Leonard Fournette won’t have a chance to contribute to the Buffalo Bills’ postseason run after the team released him from their practice squad. He could have been elevated to the active roster in the playoffs if an active player gets injured.

Instead, he must wait for another playoff team to sign him. If that won’t happen, Fournette will finish the 2023 season with 12 carries for 40 yards in two games. It’s a far cry from the 668 rushing yards and three touchdowns he had for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Fournette’s release via a video conference with the media last Tuesday. They finalized his release to clear vital space for other positions that need depth.

Nicknamed “Playoff Lenny,” Fournette was vital to the Buccaneers’ journey to victory in Super Bowl LV. The former LSU standout had 16 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown in that win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him as the fourth overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had two 1,000-yard seasons with the Jaguars, including his career-high 1,152 rushing yards in 2019. The other instance was during his rookie season (1,040 yards), wherein the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game.

The Jaguars waived Leonard Fournette before the 2020 season after failing to find a trade partner for him. After which, the Buccaneers swooped in, signing him to a one-year contract. While he played three seasons with Tampa Bay, he never had a 1,000-yard season again.

Fournette’s waiving indicates that the Bills are confident with their depth at running back. Aside from James Cook, they have Ty Johnson and Latavius Murray. Quarterback Josh Allen can also moonlight as a running back if their play collapses, as proven by his 74 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Wild Card Round.

Without Fournette, the Bills will host the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in their AFC Divisional Round showdown.

-Lance Fernandez