JACKSONVILLE – The rookie runner says he will be ready.
That was the primary takeaway when Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette spoke to the media early Saturday afternoon at EverBank Field – that the rookie first-round selection clearly expects to play in the regular-season opener.
Fournette missed the Jaguars' Preseason Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay Thursday with a foot/toe injury.
"I'm very confident," Fournette said of playing against the Houston Texans on September 10 in Week 1 of the 2017 regular season. "That's nothing to worry about."
Fournette was asked if the injury was better now than a week ago.
"Most definitely," he said.
Fournette, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, missed three days of practice last week leading to Tampa Bay game. He rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in the preseason opener the previous Thursday against New England.
Fournette said he felt the injury "a little bit" leading to the Patriots game. Fournette sustained a left ankle injury in his final collegiate season at Louisiana State last season. While his current injury is to his left foot/toe, Fournette said this injury isn't related to last season's situation.
"It's very frustrating," Fournette said. "You want to be out there with the team, your boys. I'm just competing every day, working my way back to practice. It should be good."
Fournette said he didn't know his playing status for the final two preseason games.
"That's up to the coaches," Fournette said. "I know I'll be practicing and getting out there with my teammates and competing."
