Todd Gurley: Baltimore Ravens answer rumors on free agent running back
Todd Gurley continues to remain a free agent. The former Georgia star and Rams running back was most recently with the Atlanta Falcons but became a free agent and has yet to be signed.
With JK Dobbins sidelined for the entire season after tearing his ACL in the opening series of the Ravens’ preseason game on Saturday, Gurley’s name continues to pop up as a replacement.
The 27-year-old visited the Ravens in June, according to Ian Rappaport of NFL.com. Baltimore was the latest stop on his free-agent tour, yet the former Pro-Bowler still doesn’t have a new NFL home.
Could Ravens sign Gurley?
Even with the blow to Dobbins, John Harbaugh and company appear to be sticking with who they have for now.
Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gurley in purple and black, although Harbaugh is downplaying the situation as of now.
“Former Rams and Falcons running back Todd Gurley has had some dialogue with the Ravens, but as of now, Baltimore is okay with who it has at the position,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.
Following Tuesday’s cuts down to 53-man rosters, the Ravens’ RB depth chart looks like Gus Edwards in the starting slot, with Justice Hill and Ty’Son Williams behind him.
As Rappaport noted, the Ravens’ head coach mentioned the need for multiple running backs and hinted at a veteran who could come in ready. On paper, if healthy, Gurley fits that mold.
“I wouldn’t say I’d be surprised if there was a back that came available that was better than what we have for us, but if that were to be the case or some veteran out there made sense, I’m sure we’d do it,” Harbaugh said Monday. “Whatever we can do to make our team better, we’ll do.”
Todd Gurley stats dropped in Atlanta
In five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Gurley earned two first-team All-Pro honors and three Pro Bowls. But his knee injuries have caught up to him after years of heavy work. Last season, Gurley was clearly slowed in Atlanta. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry on 195 totes — a career-low — for 679 yards and nine touchdowns. Gurley was slow to cut and had little of the burst that made him a star earlier in his career. A between-the-tackles runner not adept at gaining the edge quickly at this stage, he earned what the offensive line blocked for him and little more on most carries.
There seem to be a ton of reasons why this move would make sense for both the Ravens and the former Bulldogs’ versatile ball-carrier.
Will Harbaugh and the Ravens brass make a move? Edwards is a proven, reliable back that could handle the load, but Lamar Jackson’s success comes off the threat of the run, from multiple skill players, in multiple packages.
Maybe it won’t be Tod Gurley, and maybe one of the young Baltimore backs is a secret Harbaugh hasn’t shown, but a roster addition could be coming in the backfield sooner or later?