Report: Buffalo Bills elevating Leonard Fournette from practice squad ahead of Chargers game

Leonard Fournette is ready to play his first game of 2023. The Buffalo Bills are elevating him from the practice squad ahead of Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.

Fournette signed with the Bills after Damien Harris went down with an injury. However, he hasn’t yet played a game for Buffalo as James Cook emerged as the lead back with Latavius Murray getting some looks behind him.

However, Ty Johnson was deemed questionable for Saturday night’s matchup after being limited in practice all week. Apparently, that opened the door for Fournette to make the active roster for the first time this season.

Fournette last played in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, rushing for 668 yards and three touchdowns while adding 523 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the air. All told, during his six-year career, Fournette has 4,478 rushing yards, 2,219 receiving yards and 41 total touchdowns with the Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

He had to wait his turn in Buffalo, though, after signing with the practice squad. In fact, after the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, Fournette said he was ready for the call whenever the team decided to call him up to the 53-man roster.

“I’m comfortable, up to speed,” Fournette said, via the Buffalo News’ Jay Skurski. “I’m ready, man. Just waiting on my opportunity. Of course, my first time really being in this position, so you know, I have my days. I think it’s humbling me, testing me, my faith and everything, but I’m getting better.”

Buffalo has put itself right back in the thick of the AFC playoff race. The Bills are now 8-6 after back-to-back victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. Last week’s victory over Dallas came in monster fashion, led by the running game in rough weather in Orchard Park. Cook had a huge performance, rushing for 179 yards and a touchdown while adding a receiving touchdown and 42 yards in the passing game.

Johnson was the Bills’ second-leading rusher in the game. However, he was limited all week in practice as he deals with a shoulder injury. While Buffalo hasn’t announced a decision on his status vs. Los Angeles, bringing Leonard Fournette up from the practice squad could indicate he won’t be able to go.

Kickoff between Buffalo and Los Angeles is set for 8 p.m. ET in the NFL’s first ever Peacock exclusive game.