Here's a look at some of the top rumors for Thursday, August 13:
Since the St. Louis Rams took Todd Gurley with the 10th overall pick in April, the biggest question has been when the rookie will be healthy enough to play after tearing his ACL in his final season at Georgia. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, any preseason action is completely out of the question, while the Rams expect Gurley to "miss the first couple games" of the regular season. Rapoport adds that while Gurley's ligament is strong, "the area around it isn't there yet" and the team won't risk injury until Gurley's completely ready. That seems to be the right approach for a player whose athletic gifts may be the best we've seen since Adrian Peterson debuted in 2007. If a young offensive line can come together in St. Louis, Gurley could erupt in the second half of the season.
Another nugget from Rapoport: While a contract extension for Julio Jones doesn't yet appear close, Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff considers discussions with Jones to be the most "professional and team cognizant contract approach" he's seen. It's refreshing to see a top-flight receiver take such a humble approach when many of his peers are being rewarded with huge contracts, and it's just another sign that Jones should be in Atlanta for many years. While the deals for Dez Bryant (five years, $70 million, $45 million guaranteed) and Demaryius Thomas (five years, $70 million, $43.5 million guaranteed) should shape Jones' discussions, the size of T.Y. Hilton's new contract (five years, $65 million, $39 million guaranteed) could lead Jones' side to aim higher, as his production and pedigree significantly outweigh Hilton's.
The Houston Texans haven't signed another running back since Arian Foster's injury despite working out Pierre Thomas, Joe McKnight and Ben Malena. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, they feel comfortable with their current group for now and also don't have any interest in Ray Rice. Wilson notes that the team offered Thomas a veteran minimum deal ($870,000), which Thomas declined. If Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk struggle in the preseason, perhaps Thomas will have enough leverage to get a more substantial offer.
According to the Philadelphia Enquirer's Zach Berman, the Philadelphia Eagles plan to use free-agent signee Byron Maxwell to shadow opposing team's top receivers at times this year. The Eagles have kept their cornerbacks on specific sides in recent years -- much like the Seattle Seahawks did with Maxwell at RCB -- but clearly believe enough in Maxwell to give him more responsibility. Still, there was already concern about the former sixth-round pick playing at a high level without Seattle's scheme and the Legion of Boom around him. Putting Maxwell -- who has great length but stiff hips -- on an island seems like a sub-optimal fit.