Leonard Fournette's 2016 season has begun with a setback in preseason practice. LSU's star running back suffered an ankle sprain during a Tigers scrimmage on Tuesday and is wearing a walking boot.
Coach Les Miles described the sprain as "slight" on Tuesday and said he is unsure when Fournette will return to the practice field, according to The Advocate.
"Leonard Fournette got a slight sprain. He's in a boot. Some of the healing going," he said. "It's not terrible."
Miles said Fournette was injured on a carry of 8-12 yards when a tackler laid on his leg during a 50-play morning scrimmage.
"In his words, he'll be fine," Miles said.
Fournette, a junior, is one of the top draft prospects in college football and could be available in the 2017 NFL Draft if he applies for early draft eligibility after the season. NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein ranked him the top running back to watch in the college game this fall. Fournette rushed for 1,034 yards as a freshman in 2014 and 1,953 yards last season.
Miles said Fournette carried twice for 20 yards in a scrimmage Saturday. The Tigers open the season Sept. 3 against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
For as long as Fournette is unable to practice, reserve Derrius Guice should get additional practice reps. Guice was named Freshman All-SEC last year, rushing 51 times for 436 yards as Fournette's primary backup.
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