Todd Gurley’s one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons is still pending a physical, but the organization hasn’t hidden its concerns about the star running back’s health.
Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter told reporters that the team is sure of the talent they have in Gurley – who was released by the Rams in March after five seasons – but are waiting to see how durable he is.
“He’s only 25 years old and he’s had two seasons where he was arguably the best running back in football,” Koetter said of Gurley, who inked a one-year deal with Atlanta for $5.5 million.
The Rams lessened Gurley’s workload significantly in the second half of 2018 and most of 2019. His final two seasons in Los Angeles were marred with health speculations — he reportedly has an arthritic left knee — and prompted the organization to quickly cut ties with him when they couldn’t find a trade partner.
Atlanta ranked 30th in rushing yards in 2019, which prompted the organization to pursue the 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. After losing two-time Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman, the Falcons added Gurley to an already established backfield of Brian Hill, Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison.
“This guy, when he’s at his best, he’s got speed, he’s got power, he can break tackles, he’s elusive, he can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Koetter said. “We’ve all seen what he can do. His accolades speak for themselves. We just have to see how healthy he is and how consistently he can do it.”
Gurley played 15 of 16 games last season, rushing for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns. It was a minor dip from his Pro Bowl seasons in 2017 and 2018, when he rushed for 1,000-plus yards in back-to-back seasons.
“He can still do it,” Koetter said. “It’s just a matter of how often can he do it.”
His workload for the 2020 season will be discussed at a later date, per ESPN.
Gurley was the first running back selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, taken 10th overall by the then-St. Louis Rams. He was coming off an ACL tear suffered during his third and final season at Georgia.