Jacksonville Jaguars: Is it time to place Leonard Fournette on IR?

The hamstring to Leonard Fournette puts the Jacksonville Jaguars in a tricky situation. His injury can only heal with rest. Should he be placed on the IR?

There is a huge decision to make concerning the Jacksonville Jaguars running game. Leonard Fournette is battling a dreaded, nagging hamstring injury. Would Jacksonville consider placing Fournette on the injured reserve list?

John Oehser of Jaguars.com reported on the status of Fournette’s injury.

He quotes Doug Marrone:

"“I don’t know,” Marrone said. “I really don’t know. If I knew exactly what the deal was, and I could tell you ‘three-to-six, 10, IR [injured reserve] … whatever,’ I would. I just don’t know…"

Initially, Fournette was injured in Week 1 in New York. He was inactive for the following two weeks. Fournette started on Sunday in Week 4, but tweaked his hamstring and did not play in the second half.

Jacksonville thrives on the power rushing attack. Fournette is the sledgehammer of the running game. He opens the passing routes across the middle because opposing teams stack the box against him.

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Fournette has been limited in his production. He has carried the ball 20 times for 71 yards. He has caught four receptions for 19 yards. Jacksonville has a decision to make on him.

Jacksonville could move Fournette to IR with a designation to return. He could rest him injury and return after eight games. He could return in December for the playoff run. Would the Jaguars be content to keep Fournette inactive, each week, until he is able to play?

Perhaps they would develop more into a finesse West Coast style of offense, utilizing T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant in screen plays and dump off routes?

Currently, Yeldon, Grant and Brandon Wilds are healthy enough to run the ball. The problem is, neither is the pound-the-middle type of running back. They need to be in open space to make people miss tackles.

Still, do not expect any major acquisitions or trades to happen. Jacksonville seems to be satisfied with their stable of running backs regardless of the availability of others. You have to trust Tom Coughlin, Dave Caldwell and Marrone to do what’s in the best interest of the Jaguars. Let’s see what they do, it should be interesting.