For those making the case that running backs are still worthy of being first-round picks in NFL drafts, Todd Gurley‘s rookie season in 2015 is a perfect case study. However, the second running back to come off the board in ’15, Melvin Gordon of the Chargers, didn’t have the same success that Gurley did in his rookie year.
With Gordon looking to bounce back from his poor NFL debut, the Chargers running back underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in January, and was given a recovery timetable of four to six months, sources tell Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Although the concept of microfracture surgery is ominous, there doesn’t appear to be any serious concern about Gordon’s short- or long-term recovery, says Gehlken. The 23-year-old is expected to practice without limitations during – or before – training camp in July, as he looks to improve his production in his sophomore season.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- With run-stopping defensive end Jared Crick having left the Texans in free agency, signing a deal with Denver, there’s a “huge vacancy” at his position, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Wilson examines the candidates to step in for Crick at defensive end in Houston, including both in-house and outside options.
- Dolphins sources are concerned that the team’s defense is not built to handle the team’s up-tempo offense, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). In instances when Miami’s offense sputters, the team’s D will be forced back on to the field quickly, and some Dolphins people are concerned that aging vets like Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, and Mario Williams may not be able to keep up.
- Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald provides an update on the progress being made by the Dolphins as they attempt to lock up their entire draft class to rookie contracts.
- In the view of ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Bills and Patriots had solid offseasons, while their division rivals – the Dolphins and Jets – weren’t quite as successful over the last few months. Barnwell assigned B grades to Buffalo and New England, with Miami receiving a D+ and Gang Green getting a D.
Zach Links contributed to this post.