[Dynasty] Todd Gurley (5 Viewers)

[Football Jones]

100% agree on this... after the first reception... he limped afterwards... and from there on he basically did zero cutting.. to me it was earily similar to what happened last year during the rams/chiefs game... TBH i was shocked he basically played every snap last night because he didnt look right... but he was only able to just run straight ahead.... when he was in pass pro and wasnt blocking he would just gingerly jog to the flats... 

I've been noticing that, as well. He's essentially turned into a straight-ahead power runner for the most part. Gurley doesn't look like he did earlier in his career.

I think it's definitely time to lower expectations & not just because of his knee. The NFL is ever-changing & the Rams don't look the same, either.

 

[Dizzy]

I notced that, as well. He's essentially turned into a straight-ahead power runner for the most part. Gurley doesn't look like he did earlier in his career.

I think it's definitely time to lower expectations & not just because of his knee. The NFL is ever-changing & the Rams don't look the same, either.

Everything the Rams did in 2018 was off of Gurley... he is the catalyst for that offense.

If he's 75-80% of 2018 Gurley, then I would expect the Rams offense to be 75-80% of 2018 as well.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He just went for Fitzgerald/Singletary in my league...

He went for Kirk, Singletary and a 3rd in one of my leagues.

 

[Football Jones]

Everything the Rams did in 2018 was off of Gurley... he is the catalyst for that offense.

If he's 75-80% of 2018 Gurley, then I would expect the Rams offense to be 75-80% of 2018 as well.

That's a good point.

Their OL isn't performing as well, either, & Goff has been up & down.

 

[Football Jones]

Gurley's last 3 games have been uninspiring from an efficiency standpoint (on the ground). It wouldn't be a stretch to say his knee might be starting to act up. At some point, I'd expect Brown to get more touches if it continues. He's a good all-around RB.

I don't see a ton of upside to Gurley other than TDs. It's unlikely his knee is going to get better & there's at least a decent chance it gets worse.

Don't want to paint too bleak of a picture, but it doesn't look good long-term, IMO.

 

[tombonneau]

He went for Kirk, Singletary and a 3rd in one of my leagues.

Oof. 

 

[tombonneau]

Gurley's last 3 games have been uninspiring from an efficiency standpoint (on the ground). It wouldn't be a stretch to say his knee might be starting to act up. At some point, I'd expect Brown to get more touches if it continues. 

Not sure I subscribe to this. If Gurley was the problem, why has Brown or no other RB sniffed the field the last two games?

This is all the Rams, their O scheme and lack of OL. 

I think for 2018 he's a low RB1 just because of TDs, but I'm not ready to write off his career like some.  In fact I'm about to double down and attempt to acquire in my other league in a Kerryon package. 

 

[Football Jones]

Not sure I subscribe to this. If Gurley was the problem, why has Brown or no other RB sniffed the field the last two games?

This is all the Rams, their O scheme and lack of OL. 

I think for 2018 he's a low RB1 just because of TDs, but I'm not ready to write off his career like some.  In fact I'm about to double down and attempt to acquire in my other league in a Kerryon package. 

I’m not laying all the blame on Gurley or totally writing off his career. 

Brown had more touches earlier in the season & not sure Gurley was on board. There might be a behind-the-scenes dynamic at play right now.

Bottom line, eventually, Brown WILL get more touches if the Rams don’t get more efficient at the RB position.

 

[Nucker101]

He went for Kirk, Singletary and a 3rd in one of my leagues.

I'm high on both of those players so I actually think this is pretty fair. 

 

[dkp993]

Not sure I subscribe to this. If Gurley was the problem, why has Brown or no other RB sniffed the field the last two games?

This is all the Rams, their O scheme and lack of OL. 

I think for 2018 he's a low RB1 just because of TDs, but I'm not ready to write off his career like some.  In fact I'm about to double down and attempt to acquire in my other league in a Kerryon package. 

This this this.  

 

[davearm]

I’m not laying all the blame on Gurley or totally writing off his career. 

Brown had more touches earlier in the season & not sure Gurley was on board. There might be a behind-the-scenes dynamic at play right now.

Bottom line, eventually, Brown WILL get more touches if the Rams don’t get more efficient at the RB position.

Brown would make them more efficient at the RB position?

 

[Football Jones]

Brown would make them more efficient at the RB position?

That's not what I said, LOL. We're all speculating.

The Rams haven't been efficient on the ground the last 3 games. I'm thinking Gurley's knee could be acting up (he hasn't looked as good as the first 2 games). At this point, it can safely be assumed there's a problem with his knee & the more touches he has, the worse it gets (in theory).

McVay isn't going to keep putting Gurley out there series after series at just over a 3 YPC clip. They'll eventually give Brown or Brown/Henderson a bigger piece of the pie.

 

[Payne]

I believe the truth is he has lost a step and the NFL has figured out to stop their stretch runs. McVay needs to get off his ego and change it. 

Runs to the outside = no go

Runs up the middle = solid gains

 

[iamkoza]

I believe the truth is he has lost a step and the NFL has figured out to stop their stretch runs. McVay needs to get off his ego and change it. 

Offensive play #2 last night -5 yards ==>Runs to the outside = no go

offensive play #1 last night 9 yards==>  Runs up the middle = solid gains

 

[tombonneau]

That's not what I said, LOL. We're all speculating.

The Rams haven't been efficient on the ground the last 3 games. I'm thinking Gurley's knee could be acting up (he hasn't looked as good as the first 2 games). At this point, it can safely be assumed there's a problem with his knee & the more touches he has, the worse it gets (in theory).

McVay isn't going to keep putting Gurley out there series after series at just over a 3 YPC clip. They'll eventually give Brown or Brown/Henderson a bigger piece of the pie.

If his knee is acting up why has he had more snap share in the last few games? It should be opposite. 

IMO, all of this is ironically and eerily similar to his usage with Fisher when everyone screamed "Why aren't they getting the ball to Gurley in space?". Then McVay did and TG was the best back in football and caught a ton of passes. Now he is a passing game after thought. So bizarre. And it's like that part of the offense just disappeared. Because it's not even like Darling Darrell, the COP back molded in heaven, is filling this role. The role is gone. 

 

[Kevrunner]

Gurley is taking more hits picking up blitzes and staying in for pass protection then he is carrying the ball and he is basically the last option on pass plays, unreal.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

If his knee is acting up why has he had more snap share in the last few games? It should be opposite. 

IMO, all of this is ironically and eerily similar to his usage with Fisher when everyone screamed "Why aren't they getting the ball to Gurley in space?". Then McVay did and TG was the best back in football and caught a ton of passes. Now he is a passing game after thought. So bizarre. And it's like that part of the offense just disappeared. Because it's not even like Darling Darrell, the COP back molded in heaven, is filling this role. The role is gone. 

Honestly even as a Gurley owner I think the snap share increase is nothing more than fan/media pressure. 

As far as the receiver use goes he's been used more the last few games, he's just not doing anything with it. No idea why they aren't giving him a few screen passes each game though.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Reading the page+ full of questions, I think I can solve the mystery here: 

the Rams are a little pass-happy, they don’t run block well right now, and the defense is banged up so badly that game-scripts aren’t anywhere near as favorable for the run game as they’ve been. 

What I saw from Gurley on TNF looked a lot like what I saw 2 years ago, though he does look a stitch slower. 

He’s just not getting as many touches because there aren’t as many touches to give. Rams getting into more shootouts, and that’s not conducive to a productive run game. And they don’t run block as well as they did 2 years ago. I don’t think his knee has anything to do with it. 

Looking forward, if not for the Everett TD that didn’t get reviewed & Gurley vultures, he would have been a 12 point play. He’s now a bit of anTD-dependent RB, because he’s not going to get the volume he needs & that line isn’t opening holes for breakaway TDs. 

I would be trying to sell high off of the TNF game, if I had him. But that’s just me. 

 

[SayWhat?]

Reading the page+ full of questions, I think I can solve the mystery here: 

the Rams are a little pass-happy, they don’t run block well right now, and the defense is banged up so badly that game-scripts aren’t anywhere near as favorable for the run game as they’ve been. 

What I saw from Gurley on TNF looked a lot like what I saw 2 years ago, though he does look a stitch slower. 

He’s just not getting as many touches because there aren’t as many touches to give. Rams getting into more shootouts, and that’s not conducive to a productive run game. And they don’t run block as well as they did 2 years ago. I don’t think his knee has anything to do with it. 

Looking forward, if not for the Everett TD that didn’t get reviewed & Gurley vultures, he would have been a 12 point play. He’s now a bit of anTD-dependent RB, because he’s not going to get the volume he needs & that line isn’t opening holes for breakaway TDs. 

I would be trying to sell high off of the TNF game, if I had him. But that’s just me. 

This I don’t get.  How are there not as many touches to give?  The Rams are running plenty of plays, Gurley is on the field a significant majority of those, and basically every game has been a close game.  

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This I don’t get.  How are there not as many touches to give?  The Rams are running plenty of plays, Gurley is on the field a significant majority of those, and basically every game has been a close game.  

 Because the Rams seem incapable of run blocking well enough to sustain the grind it out kind of drives they had two years ago when Gurley was an absolute stud.

The types of touches he needs to get to return to that level of prominence would be 25+,  and their o-line is simply incapable of blocking well enough to support that. And they’ve shifted to a more pass-happy offense, and don’t seem to want to use him as a receiver. That may change with the injury to Cooks, but it looks more like they’ll go to the TE’s instead. 

But IMO, with the arthritic knee, the Rams are using Gurley  exactly like they said they were going to in the preseason.as such, they are not going to give him 25+ touches a game, because they believe he will break down. This was their plan, and they’ve stuck to it. So maybe the knee does have something to do with it, but in a preventative sort of way. 

not sure why anyone is surprised by it. 

 

[SayWhat?]

 Because the Rams seem incapable of run blocking well enough to sustain the grind it out kind of drives they had two years ago when Gurley was an absolute stud.

The types of touches he needs to get to return to that level of prominence would be 25+,  and their o-line is simply incapable of blocking well enough to support that. 

But IMO, with the arthritic knee, the Rams are using Gurley  exactly like they said they were going to in the preseason.as such, they are not going to give him 25+ touches a game, because they believe he will break down. This was their plan, and they’ve stuck to it.

not sure why anyone is surprised by it. 

I’ve not felt this way watching the Rams this year, nor do any metrics support that take.  Not ypc (middle of the NFL) nor offensive line rankings such as Football Outsiders (middle to high marks in nearly every measurement they rank).  

I agree that the Rams are intentionally limiting Gurley’s touches, and it’s become a detriment to their offense as it’s forcing them into a 2:1 pass to run ratio that’s simply not conducive to winning games.  If they want to keep limiting Gurley’s to a max of 16, then they need to start mixing in Brown/Henderson more than they have.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I’ve not felt this way watching the Rams this year, nor do any metrics support that take.  Not ypc (middle of the NFL) nor offensive line rankings such as Football Outsiders (middle to high marks in nearly every measurement they rank).  

When Gurley was a super stud they were at the top of the NFL, not the middle. 

I agree that the Rams are intentionally limiting Gurley’s touches, and it’s become a detriment to their offense as it’s forcing them into a 2:1 pass to run ratio that’s simply not conducive to winning games.  If they want to keep limiting Gurley’s to a max of 16, then they need to start mixing in Brown/Henderson more than they have.

That’s the long and the short of it. We’re seeing eye to eye on that one. I just don’t expect that to change. It’s what they said they’d do, and they’ve done it, consistently. 

IMO if they do increase snap count it’ll mean more touches for the other guys, with Gurley’s role staying the same.

the weird thing to me is the lack of receptions. 

 

[Tool]

It does seem a little odd that Brown is getting so few carries. He’s looked pretty good when he’s been in there. And after first game though plan was to mix him in for about 1/3 of the time. But that’s not happening not sure why exactly 

 

[SayWhat?]

When Gurley was a super stud they were at the top of the NFL, not the middle. 

The Rams averaged 4.3ypc in 2017.  They’re averaging 4.2ypc this year.  

They’re simply not running the ball this year.  That’s the bottom line.

 

[dkp993]

This is really not complicated unless people are only looking at the box score.  Watching it’s extremely clear.  

-Outside zone runs and jet sweeps are being shut down with the 6/1 D.  

-Teams see what we all do that Goff isn’t as good under pressure so they are applying it, this along with weaker interior O line play is requiring Gurley to support the pass pro (something he does very well).

-Trying to figure out this 6/1 D everyone is playing McVay has gone way to pass happy.  This is likely because of the much weaker O line play vs the run and his ego.  Running up the middle is the solution but he’s not confident in it and continues to get lured into throwing deep.

-Gurley has always been TD “dependent”.  It’s been a huge part of his weekly numbers because he’s been the most prolific TD scorer in the league the past 3 yrs.  It’s just more obvious now as he’s not getting the other points he usually gets.  TD’s are what have made him truly special these last few years.  The good news is this doesn’t look to have changed because of the other points above.  

So play-calling, O line and the change in how teams are playing the Rams are the reasons.

 

[SayWhat?]

This is really not complicated unless people are only looking at the box score.  Watching it’s extremely clear.  

-Outside zone runs and jet sweeps are being shut down with the 6/1 D.  

-Teams see what we all do that Goff isn’t as good under pressure so they are applying it, this along with weaker interior O line play is requiring Gurley to support the pass pro (something he does very well).

-Trying to figure out this 6/1 D everyone is playing McVay has gone way to pass happy.  This is likely because of the much weaker O line play vs the run and his ego.  Running up the middle is the solution but he’s not confident in it and continues to get lured into throwing deep.

-Gurley has always been TD “dependent”.  It’s been a huge part of his weekly numbers because he’s been the most prolific TD scorer in the league the past 3 yrs.  It’s just more obvious now as he’s not getting the other points he usually gets.  TD’s are what have made him truly special these last few years.  The good news is this doesn’t look to have changed because of the other points above.  

So play-calling, O line and the change in how teams are playing the Rams are the reasons.

There’s definite validity here.  But it’s now been ten straight games in which Gurley hasn’t exceeded 16 carries.  Ten straight teams playing a 6/1?  Ten straight games where a once “brilliant” offensive mind won’t run the ball in volume?  

Seems pretty clear watching Gurley that he isn’t Gurley.  But I guess McVay will continue to be stupefied by the purported 6/1 and keep throwing the ball 50 times per game while giving his stud back 15 carries and we’ll just call it a coach that isn’t adjusting.  Definitely has nothing to do with Gurley’s health.  No way.

 

[VikingFrog]

This is really not complicated unless people are only looking at the box score.  Watching it’s extremely clear.  

-Outside zone runs and jet sweeps are being shut down with the 6/1 D.  

-Teams see what we all do that Goff isn’t as good under pressure so they are applying it, this along with weaker interior O line play is requiring Gurley to support the pass pro (something he does very well).

-Trying to figure out this 6/1 D everyone is playing McVay has gone way to pass happy.  This is likely because of the much weaker O line play vs the run and his ego.  Running up the middle is the solution but he’s not confident in it and continues to get lured into throwing deep.

-Gurley has always been TD “dependent”.  It’s been a huge part of his weekly numbers because he’s been the most prolific TD scorer in the league the past 3 yrs.  It’s just more obvious now as he’s not getting the other points he usually gets.  TD’s are what have made him truly special these last few years.  The good news is this doesn’t look to have changed because of the other points above.  

So play-calling, O line and the change in how teams are playing the Rams are the reasons.

Great analysis.

He was my second round pick and has outscored my first round pick by 59 points. 

I’m happy holding him right now, plugging him in, and hoping that things change and his usage goes up. He’s only had one truly bad fantasy start.

He’s got an extra game under his belt now, so he’s listed as RB7, but he should easily remain a top 20 back fantasy scoring wise after this week, depending on what the guys do behind him. He’s virtually knotted up with Chris Carson who had his own set of question marks weeks ago but now has his arrow pointing up.

RBs that we’re drafted behind him in my draft that I wish I owned? Yes there’s a few, but there always are. I lucked out and own a few of these guys.

Aaron Jones. Kerryon maybe? Ingram. Henry. Ekeler/Gordon? 

The rest have just as many question marks as Gurley and less upside in my eyes.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

The Rams averaged 4.3ypc in 2017.  They’re averaging 4.2ypc this year.  

They’re simply not running the ball this year.  That’s the bottom line.

It’s McVay - it’s what he wants to do. He’s changed the offense to limit the touches. 

If I were a betting man, I’d bet that if they make the playoffs, they’ll suddenly commit to the ground game. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This is really not complicated unless people are only looking at the box score.  Watching it’s extremely clear.  

-Outside zone runs and jet sweeps are being shut down with the 6/1 D.  

-Teams see what we all do that Goff isn’t as good under pressure so they are applying it, this along with weaker interior O line play is requiring Gurley to support the pass pro (something he does very well).

-Trying to figure out this 6/1 D everyone is playing McVay has gone way to pass happy.  This is likely because of the much weaker O line play vs the run and his ego.  Running up the middle is the solution but he’s not confident in it and continues to get lured into throwing deep.

-Gurley has always been TD “dependent”.  It’s been a huge part of his weekly numbers because he’s been the most prolific TD scorer in the league the past 3 yrs.  It’s just more obvious now as he’s not getting the other points he usually gets.  TD’s are what have made him truly special these last few years.  The good news is this doesn’t look to have changed because of the other points above.  

So play-calling, O line and the change in how teams are playing the Rams are the reasons.

Yep - all of this. Less running = less volume + people are figuring out McVay’s schtick.

coaches need to adjust once they get figured out. McVay isn’t.

whether that’s by design or because he doesn’t think his team is capable of playing another way is a bit of a mystery, but especially with the injuries/deficiencies on defense, I would think they’d need to play more ball control. 

When you’re getting into 50-45 shootouts with the Bucs, you’re doing something wrong. 

Also, I think they miss Mark Barron, but that’s not really on topic. 

 

[davearm]

Great analysis.

He was my second round pick and has outscored my first round pick by 59 points. 

I’m happy holding him right now, plugging him in, and hoping that things change and his usage goes up. He’s only had one truly bad fantasy start.

He’s got an extra game under his belt now, so he’s listed as RB7, but he should easily remain a top 20 back fantasy scoring wise after this week, depending on what the guys do behind him. He’s virtually knotted up with Chris Carson who had his own set of question marks weeks ago but now has his arrow pointing up.

RBs that we’re drafted behind him in my draft that I wish I owned? Yes there’s a few, but there always are. I lucked out and own a few of these guys.

Aaron Jones. Kerryon maybe? Ingram. Henry. Ekeler/Gordon? 

The rest have just as many question marks as Gurley and less upside in my eyes.

Did you take Antonio Brown first???

 

[dkp993]

Yep - all of this. Less running = less volume + people are figuring out McVay’s schtick.

coaches need to adjust once they get figured out. McVay isn’t.

whether that’s by design or because he doesn’t think his team is capable of playing another way is a bit of a mystery, but especially with the injuries/deficiencies on defense, I would think they’d need to play more ball control. 

When you’re getting into 50-45 shootouts with the Bucs, you’re doing something wrong. 

Also, I think they miss Mark Barron, but that’s not really on topic. 

I wouldn’t say he not adjusting, he most certainly is.  He’s not just adjusting as much/quickly as we’d/I’d like, but every game this year there has been a progression.  Part of the issue the last 2 games has been the D, there no question about it, the other part is the interior O line (though Havenstein has taken a big step back too for some reason).  
 

McVay is a smart and talented dude, I trust he’ll work through it and we’ll be on track soon.  

 

[VikingFrog]

Did you take Antonio Brown first???

No. I would probably be in a dark place.

I grabbed Tyreek with my first pick. Time will tell if that works out. My team is surviving without Hill and what many are considering an “underperforming” Gurley. But I’ve lost a few matchups due to those same guys. So we shall see what happens and whether I’m kicking myself at season’s end.

 

[dahabi]

For those looking to “sell high” after this week, who do you think is a comparable player to target in a trade?

 

[VikingFrog]

For those looking to “sell high” after this week, who do you think is a comparable player to target in a trade?

Chris Carson.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

The Rams averaged 4.3ypc in 2017.  They’re averaging 4.2ypc this year.  

They’re simply not running the ball this year.  That’s the bottom line.

This is very misleading. 

Gurley was at 4.9 and 4.7 ypc each of the last 2 years. 

He's at 4.2 this year and most of that was skewed by one good drive in the week 1 game. He's been sub 4ypc in 4 out of 5 games so far this year.

He was sub 4ypc in 3 games all of last year. 

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Chris Carson.

As a Carson owner, I’d be uninterested in such a swap.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Chris Carson.

Funny you mention that. The Gurley owner offered him to me for Carson & I rejected it. 

I countered with Carson + Hill for CMC & he wasn’t down. He was tempted but he’d just traded a WR & couldn’t wait for Hill. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

As a Carson owner, I’d be uninterested in such a swap.

Yeah, I hit “reject” quickly. Gimme the volume. Good things happen with volume guys. 

 

[Football Jones]

Did Gurley get injured last week?

Got a notification he was DNP today with a quad injury.

 

[VikingFrog]

Did Gurley get injured last week?

Got a notification he was DNP today with a quad injury.

Gurley owner with everything going wrong for my point to the shirt team in 2019.

Just dropped Malcolm Brown, so knowing that, this is serious.

Honestly though, I follow the guy on Instagram and he was out reading with kids all day for charity. I know that doesn’t help with injury report but maybe he got a day off? He’s a good follow on Instagram. Seems like a pretty humble and legit dude compared to some players out there.

 

[iamkoza]

Ugh. Last two games they were reverting back to 2018 form with gurley handling nearly all snaps and touches. This injury scare probably gets things back to the 2 out of 3 drives pattern that was employed earlier this season.

You can think about it this way... It's been a full week since their game, so if this was a regular week gurley may have been dnp all three days... To me the dnp nearly a full week after the game is very concerning

 

[Faust]

Did Gurley get injured last week?

Got a notification he was DNP today with a quad injury.

Rotoworld take:

Todd Gurley (quad) did not practice Wednesday.

Coach Sean McVay said Gurley is day to day with a thigh contusion. He'll have to get in at least a limited practice by Friday to have a real shot at suiting up against the 49ers this week. Gurley's handcuff Malcolm Brown needs to be owned in most leagues just in case Gurley can't get ready in time. This quad injury isn't directly related to the knee arthritis that's arguably slowed him down in 2019, but it's another issue worth monitoring.

SOURCE: Lindsey Thiry on Twitter

Oct 9, 2019, 7:32 PM ET

Rams RB Todd Gurley day-to-day with thigh contusion

 

[SayWhat?]

The “quad injury” right next to that balky knee.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Yeah I was going to say, "quad injury" sounds suspiciously like "knee issue that we don't want the press to make a big story out of".

 

[DeaLerZ]

Any updates if he is practicing today?

 

[Faust]

Any updates if he is practicing today?

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Todd Gurley's status for Week 6 against the 49ers is "very much up in the air."

Gurley came out of last week's Thursday night loss to Seattle with a quad injury. The team suspected it was only a minor setback, though the fact that it's still bothering him a week later (Gurley was absent from Wednesday's practice) is obviously a cause for concern. With Gurley looking iffy for Sunday, backup Malcolm Brown needs to be rostered in all formats.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Oct 10, 2019, 2:21 PM ET

 

[steelwind]

I don't understand how a quad bruise can lead to missed games.  I get that a strain can.  Now he hasn't been ruled out and coach is calling him day to day.  But I hadn't even realized that a bruise can lead to something concerning.

 

[iamkoza]

I don't understand how a quad bruise can lead to missed games.  I get that a strain can.  Now he hasn't been ruled out and coach is calling him day to day.  But I hadn't even realized that a bruise can lead to something concerning.

Damian Williams missed two games this year because of this injury (or was his a different bruise?)

What's really weird is after gurley first catch last Thursday he seemed to be noticeably limping. Then to me, the rest of the game he didn't seem to ever make a crisp lateral cut. On passing plays if he wasn't blocking he'd gingerly fade out to the flat... Tl Dr he looked to be hurting... Yet he pretty much played every single snap that game. So perhaps it could actually be a bruise that didn't get bad until after the game?

 

[TwinTurbo]

I don't understand how a quad bruise can lead to missed games.  I get that a strain can.  Now he hasn't been ruled out and coach is calling him day to day.  But I hadn't even realized that a bruise can lead to something concerning.

quad bruise sucks. It can take a while to heal depending on the severity. Gronk had one in the Superbowl last year: https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2019/08/retired-patriot-rob-gronkowskis-super-bowl-injury-was-so-bad-he-had-a-liter-of-blood-removed-from-leg.html

I'm not a pro athlete, but I did get a severe one playing college soccer and it took at least two weeks just to play without pain. You are basically trying to run with a giant contusion in your thigh. You lose speed, range of motion, and flexibility. It was just as bad of an injury as an ankle sprain or knee sprain, although a different kind of pain. 

 

[SCT]

I don't understand how a quad bruise can lead to missed games.  I get that a strain can.  Now he hasn't been ruled out and coach is calling him day to day.  But I hadn't even realized that a bruise can lead to something concerning.

Deep thigh contusion can cost you weeks or months, especially if it gets hit in the same place again.  Also, as some have theorized, it may be a way to describe his chronic knee issue without saying the words chronic knee issue.