Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began running Leonard Fournette back from injured reserve on Saturday, qualifying him to play in Sunday's divisional playoff against the Los Angeles Rams.
To make the roster, the Books waived leaving Le'Von Bell behind.
Fornet, who suffered a hamstring strain in Week 15, began a 21-day practice window last week to return from IR. While there was initially belief that Fournette might return for last week's wild-card game, he felt uncomfortable when he attempted to reach top speed and did not activate, coach Bruce Arian said.
"He looks fine. He looks good," Arian said on Friday. "He didn't get the shock last week, so we'll wait and see."
Fournette earned the nickname "Playoff Lenny" and later "Lombardy Lenny" last season, when he had a league-high 448 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage, despite not being a starter during the regular season.
It landed him an opening role this year, and he ran for 812 yards and eight touchdowns in Weeks 1-15 - the 10th most in the league during that period. His 1,266 yards during that period also finished 10th in the league for any position and sixth among trailing runs.
"Others really moved on when he was out, but obviously we really like having Lenny in there," quarterback Tom Brady said this week. "He did a great job in the biggest moments last year. I think everyone believes in him, trusts him and knows he can really come for us."
After Fournette was placed on the IR in Week 16, Bell signed with the Bux - admitting at the time that he thought he could be done with football and was focusing on his boxing career.
Bell covered 49 scrimmage yards on 12 touches, including a touchdown catch in Week 18 against Carolina.
Fournette's presence could help offset potential losses to All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs and Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who are game-time decisions with ankle injuries, and to Rams' Aaron Donald and Von Miller. Stop teasing against Brady.
On Friday, the Bucs dismissed wide receiver Breshad Perryman, who started last week against the Eagles but is suffering from hip and abdominal injuries, and are running back Ronald Jones, who has suffered an ankle injury since week 17. Struggling with injury.