The Rams are going to play it safe with their first pick Todd Gurley.
Head coach Jeff Fisher stated that there was a chance that Gurley would not see any action the preseason, and instead the Rams will focus on getting him ready for the regular season.
Here are some quotes from Sports Illustrated:
Head coach Jeff Fisher told NFL Network that Gurley, the team’s first-round selection, will move along slowly in his recovery from an ACL tear he suffered last season at Georgia.
“We are going to take our time. I don’t have to see him in a preseason game to play him in a regular season game,” Fisher said. “It’s unlikely that you’ll see him in a preseason game, because he’s got some work to do. There is a significant difference between eight months and 10 months and he’s about eight and a half months right now. So he’s a few weeks away.”
Fisher said Gurley has picked up the Rams offense quickly and that he’ll return to some type of timeshare with second-year tailback Tre Mason. Fisher has been happy with both backs early.
This is a wise move by St. Louis. I know everyone is anxious to see how Gurley looks coming off that ACL injury, but there is no reason to rush him back for games that don’t count.
Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to knee injuries, and especially with a guy you just invested an early first round pick into it.