Cincinnati Bengals working out veteran RB Leonard Fournette

The Bengals are looking towards Leonard Fournette to potentially add some more depth to their running back room for the stretch run of the 2024 season.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati is working out the veteran running back on Monday. Even after trading for Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears, the former LSU superstar could be an option for the Bengals.

“The #Bengals are working out veteran RB Leonard Fournette today, sources tell me and @RapSheet,” Pelissero posted on X. “After losing Zack Moss, Cincinnati traded for Khalil Herbert and now is checking out Fournette, who could join the practice squad.”

Last season, Fournette played in just two games for the Buffalo Bills, carrying the ball 12 times for 40 yards. It was a stark contrast to 2022, when he played a career-high 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If he’s signed by the Bengals, he’d look to return to being a formidable running back in the league. Not long ago he was a Super Bowl champion in Tampa Bay, and prior to that he was one of the best running back prospects coming out of college. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Fournette with the No. 4 pick in 2017.

Over the course of his NFL career, Fournette has 4,498 yards, 34 touchdowns, four yards per carry, 312 catches, 2,219 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.

Additionally, the former Tigers star also had adopted the nickname “Playoff Lenny” for his stellar performances in the postseason. He was particularly dangerous during the 2020 playoffs, when he rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry in four games. That helped the Buccaneers to their Super Bowl victory.

While he hasn’t put up Hall of Fame numbers in the pros, there’s no doubt Leonard Fournette has been effective when healthy. Perhaps a return to the NFL in a complimentary role with the Bengals would be perfect for the running back.

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this article.