Fournette not expected to play against Southern Miss

LSU interim head coach Ed Orgeron said star running back Leonard Fournette is not expected to play Saturday against Southern Miss due to a lingering ankle injury.

"I don't think he's gonna play. He hasn't practiced, and I would not expect him to be ready this Saturday," Orgeron told reporters Wednesday.

Fournette has missed two games this season because of the injury, and it would have been a third last week if the LSU-Florida contest was not canceled.

“We are not going to rush it, we are only going to put him in when he is 100 percent and ready to go," Orgeron continued. "We are just taking it day by day and see how he progresses.”

In three games this year, Fournette has rushed for 386 yards and two touchdowns on 67 carries.

Backup running backs Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams will replace Fournette, with the two having combined for 555 yards and seven touchdowns in five games this year.