Coach Dan Campbell acknowledged that the Lions have an interest in signing Gurley, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

In addition to Campbell, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn and assistant coach Duce Staley have been actively talking about the possibility of Gurley joining the running back room in Detroit. Campbell stressed that the Lions' strong interest in Gurley doesn't indicate a lack of confidence in D'Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams. It's not clear how the carries would shake out if all three backs were on hand, but Detroit has been one of the few teams interested in Gurley and a deal seems like it could be hammered out soon.

Gurley is scheduled to visit the Lions on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley hasn't gotten much traction since hitting the open market in March, an unsurprising development given his chronic left knee issues along with the fact that he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry with Atlanta in 2020. Though he's still just 26 years old and has three Pro Bowl seasons on his resume, Gurley's health-related decline over the past couple of years makes his future in the NFL murky. If he ultimately comes to terms with the Lions on a deal, Gurley likely wouldn't be asked to be anything more than a complementary option to No. 1 back D'Andre Swift, and offseason pickup Jamaal Williams could rank ahead of Gurley in the pecking order as well.

Gurley expressed optimism Wednesday about what his role might look like under new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith if he were to return to Atlanta in 2021, Kelsey Conway of the team's official site reports. "You get excited about a coach that runs the ball, which you know doesn't happen very often," Gurley said.

EDGE Analysis

The two-time All-Pro is planning to get in touch with both Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot in the near future to learn if he has a future with the organization. The idea of playing for the former Tennessee offensive coordinator piques Gurley's interest, given the success Derrick Henry enjoyed the past two seasons, securing rushing titles in both years. Gurley is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March after accumulating 842 scrimmage yards and nine rushing scores during his debut season in Atlanta. His involvement waned down the stretch, as Gurley was held to single-digit carries in six consecutive games to wrap up the 2020 season.

Gurley ran for 18 yards on nine attempts while securing his only target for a 17-yard gain during Sunday's 44-27 loss to Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley and Brian Hill split carries atop the Falcons' backfield at an even 9:9 ratio. However, Hill was far more explosive with his opportunities on the ground, largely because of a 62-yard run in the fourth quarter. Gurley's debut campaign in Atlanta did not go according to plan, as he labored to 3.5 yards per carry over 195 attempts while seeing himself get overtaken by Ito Smith (ribs) for lead RB carries down the stretch. The man largely responsible for acquiring Gurley, Thomas Dimitroff, was fired as Falcons general manager Oct. 11. The 26-year-old Gurley is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, as is Hill, but Smith remains under contract with Atlanta for one more season.

Gurley registered 16 yards on four carries while securing all three of his targets for 34 yards during Sunday's 17-14 loss to the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley made a 26-yard reception down the right sideline on Atlanta's opening play from scrimmage, but the drive stalled three plays later to result in a punt. That gain alone contributed more than half of Gurley's Week 16 yardage production, as Ito Smith and Brian Hill combined for 17 carries atop the Atlanta backfield. A 3.5 yards-per-carry average with limited passing-game upside from Gurley has led the Falcons to look elsewhere for running back contributions down the stretch. Week 17 offers a matchup against the Buccaneers, against whom Gurley virtually disappeared last Sunday when he totaled minus-one yard on his lone carry.

Interim coach Raheem Morris said Monday that Gurley's role has changed and Ito Smith has usurped him as the Falcons' lead runner, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley only had three touches during Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay, and he's been outpaced by Smith in terms of carries, 25-15, since Week 13, so even without Morris' admission it was clear that Gurley has fallen out of favor in Atlanta's offense. The three-time Pro Bowler is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry through 13 games, putting him on pace to log a second straight season below the 4.0 mark. Meanwhile, Smith is up to 4.3 YPC on the year, and he's been the definitively better option on the ground in recent weeks. As D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, Morris named Smith's performance as the reason for the role swap, rather than any sort of injury on Gurley's part.

Gurley lost a yard on his lone carry, adding two catches for 15 yards during Sunday's 31-27 loss to Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley made an impressive one-handed grab to help Atlanta move the chains on a 3rd-and-9 during the game's opening drive, but a key missed block in pass protection led to decreased involvement down the stretch. It's hard to believe Gurley would have enjoyed much success on the ground anyhow in a matchup against Tampa Bay's top-ranked rush defense. The three-time Pro Bowler has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry since Week 6. Ito Smith, meanwhile, has equaled or exceeded Gurley's rush attempts total over each of the past three games both backs have been in the lineup.

Gurley collected 19 yards on six carries, adding two catches for 12 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley's involvement all but dissolved in the second half, as he received one offensive touch between the third and fourth quarters combined. Ito Smith, meanwhile, fielded nine touches over the second half Sunday. The 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has scored four touchdowns since Week 6, but he's been incredibly inefficient as a rusher during that span, managing just 2.7 yards per carry over 102 attempts. Atlanta's upcoming matchup against Tampa Bay's top-ranked rush defense provides a formidable opponent for both Gurley and Smith in Week 15.

Gurley (knee) doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Chargers, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gurley was held out of practice Friday, but it appears that was just for maintenance. Coach Raheem Morris said he expects the running back to return to his normal role this Sunday, following an absence Week 12 and season-low 33 percent snap share Week 13. Gurley took 14 or more carries in each of Atlanta's first nine games this year, scoring nine TDs despite averaging only 3.7 YPC.

Coach Raheem Morris said Gurley (knee) "feels a lot more healthy this week" and should work in his typical role Sunday against the Chargers, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old had eight carries and played 33 percent of the offensive snaps Week 13 while managing the knee injury, but he's expected to put in his usual workload this weekend. Gurley was a limited participant at the first two practices of the week, and he could avoid an injury designation for Sunday if he's able to put in a full practice Friday.