Nursing an ankle injury, LSU running back and potential first-round pick Leonard Fournette has decided to skip the team’s Citrus Bowl game in Orlando, Florida against the Louisville Cardinals to get ready for the NFL Draft.

I want to wish all of the best to Leonard Fournette as he pursues his professional football career. He's a great member of The Tiger Family!

— Coach Ed Orgeron (@Coach_EdOrgeron) December 16, 2016

LSU doesn’t seem to have any hard feelings about his decision based on head coach Ed Orgeron’s tweet– but this opens up a different possibility– Will more potential top prospects skip these meaningless exhibitions to stay healthy for their future?

All you have to do is look back to Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and remember his brutal injury he suffered against Ohio State.  The Irish lost the game and he dropped to the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has missed his entire rookie season.

Fournette’s decision is obviously the right move for him, it will be interesting if more players follow suit.