Running back Latavius Murray might not be the biggest name on the open market, but the free agent is undergoing rigorous treatments to try and get back on the football field. The 10-year veteran and one-time Pro Bowl selection slowed down a bit in recent years, but he can still be a reliable depth in the right environment. Last year, the former sixth-round pick finished the season with 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 79 carries to go along with 17 receptions for 119 yards and a 74.2 PFF rushing grade.
Latavius Murray recently detailed how he went about his offseason rehab, and it’s clear the free agent is doing everything he can to get back on the field. Per the interview, Murray traveled to South America to undergo stem cell treatment in an attempt to get his body ready for the upcoming campaign.
“You do the IV stem cells and then you get the injections within the joints or wherever you want to have the injections. Essentially the IV is supposed to still penetrate into the parts of your body that are sore; the IV does overall health. But then the localized injections are for the areas that you want to specifically treat.”
Free Agent Latavius Murray Details Rigorous Rehab, Hopes To Play In 2024
Playing in the NFL is not easy, but it’s especially difficult for running backs on the wrong side of 30. Since entering the league as a sixth-round pick, Murray has recorded 1,560 carries and 239 receptions. These hits add up over time, and the human body can only handle so much. While the years have taken their toll on Latavius Murray, the free agent proved last year that he’s still good enough to play in a backup role.
The only question is where that will be. Chances are, Latavius Murray won’t sign as a free agent until after the 2024 NFL Draft. With the big event just over a week away, several potential suitors will land cost-effective young talent. However, this running back draft class is one of the weakest in recent memory, so Murray should be able to find a suitor once the dust clears.
Possible Team Fits
Buffalo Bills
At the end of the day, a free agent reunion makes the most sense for Latavius Murray. The running back was a natural fit behind James Cook and should maintain that role for close to league-minimum money. The only question is whether Buffalo uses one of their 10 draft picks to invest in a younger prospect on Day 3 of the draft. If that happens, Murray might not have a spot on the roster.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have a superstar running back in Derrick Henry and a young, promising player in undrafted free agent Keaton Mitchell. However, with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins departed, they could use a backup. While the team might prefer a younger option than Latavius Murray, the free agent might be their best practical choice. The Ravens lost several starters to free agency, and they’ll need every draft pick they can get to find adequate replacements at wide receiver, offensive line, and in the front seven.
Carolina Panthers
Latavius Murray might not be a Pro Bowler anymore, but the free agent can’t be much worse than Miles Sanders. The former Eagle had a disastrous first season with Carolina, and Dave Canales probably won’t be able to magically fix him. Seeing as the Panthers have far too many needs to heavily invest in a running back, they could sign Murray as cheap competition. Murray and Chuba Hubbard aren’t the most ferocious running back duo in football, but they can get the job done.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers want to run the ball, and right now, the only notable back on the roster is Gus Edwards. Edwards is a fine player, but he’s not the type of guy who should receive 300 touches per season. The Chargers will probably draft someone like Blake Corum in the third round, but Latavius Murray can still bring some much-needed depth as a free agent.
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco is a starting-caliber NFL running back, but the rest of the Chiefs depth chart leaves something to be desired. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not a reliable backup, and the team has too many other glaring needs to worry about the running back position. Latavius Murray might not have a high ceiling, but the free agent can do everything at an adequate level. That ability to step in on all three downs could be enough to earn him a job.
Main Photo: Jamie Germano – USA Today Sports
