The Atlanta Falcons made quite a splash with the addition of former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley this offseason. Head coach Dirk Koetter has taken precautionary steps in training camp to ensure that he is 100% by the time the 2020 NFL season rolls around.
The health of Gurley's left knee remains a point of emphasis for the Falcons. Regardless, Koetter fully expects him to take on an integral role in the offense with at least 15 touches per game, via ESPN's Vaughn McClure:
“I think a minimum of 15 touches and a high of [25],” Koetter told ESPN in a phone interview Tuesday. “But you've got to realize we've got a lot of guys that need touches. You're going to have 64 plays in a game on average on offense. Depending on where you're at in the season and wear and tear, I think the low is 15 and maybe the high end 25.
Koetter added that Gurley's workload with the Falcons will also vary on the situation with each game:
“Some of that depends on score and where you're at in the game. Are you ahead and running it? Are you getting in four-minute, and how are you running the ball that week? There's a lot of factors in there. But again, the low end 15 and the high end 25.”
The Falcons' plans for Gurley hardly come as any surprise since he is considered to be an upgrade to fill the void left by running back Devonta Freeman. His versatile skill set out of the backfield should provide some balance for the offense and take the pressure off quarterback Matt Ryan in the passing game.
Of course, Koetter is still doing what he can to make sure the Falcons are reducing any unnecessary risks throughout the course of the 2020 campaign.
His comments indicate that Gurley's health and overall tempo of each game will be a determining factor for his workload this season.
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