The Detroit Lions know they need a young running back after releasing Reggie Bush and having only Joique Bell, Theo Riddick and little-used George Winn on the roster.

So one of the bigger areas of draft need for the Lions is running back and Monday, Detroit brought in Todd Gurley, a potential first-round pick, in for a visit.

Gurley is the second running back to visit the Lions so far, joining Indiana's Tevin Coleman, who would probably be a second- or third-round selection. That the Lions are bringing in Gurley is at least a sign they want to investigate him further.

Most teams who are going to really have interest in him would have to bring him in for a pre-draft visit so their own doctors can check out the torn ACL in his left knee he suffered in a win against Auburn in November. The knee has placed his draft status into question since it could be risky for a team to use a high pick on a running back with a knee issue.

Gurley told the team's website he had a physical with the Lions on Monday morning.

"I'm doing pretty good," Gurley told the Lions' team website. "I'm down in Pensacola, Florida rehabbing. I haven't started running yet. I've been squatting, jump ropes, ladder and I'm building strength and definitely feeling a lot stronger."

When healthy, though, Gurley is a spectacular runner. He had 123 carries for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games last season. Had he remained healthy -- and not been suspended for four games for a violation of NCAA rules -- he would have been a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

He also has return ability -- having returned two kicks for touchdowns in 11 career chances.

If the knee checks out, though, he becomes a really intriguing first-round selection. By picking him in the first round instead of the second, a team would have the fifth-year option to use on him -- something important on Gurley considering it is unclear when he'd be able to play during his rookie season. Gurley said during February's NFL combine he believed he would be able to play this season.

"The timetable is six-to-nine months," Gurley said at the combine. "I got hurt in November, so I'm not really giving no timetable. I'm just trying to get back safe, but as quick as possible."

The Lions have a history recently of taking offensive skill position players with some injury issues entering the draft. The Lions took Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles coming off an ACL injury in 2012 and selected Jahvid Best in the first round in 2010, despite a history of brain injuries.

Detroit has now had Gurley, Coleman, Stanford defensive back Alex Carter, Penn State offensive tackle Donovan Smith, McNeese State offensive lineman Antoine Everett, Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper and Florida State defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. in for visits. The team is alloted 30 pre-draft visits.