Gurley cleared for added work in practice
By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_c9ec7e7d-c84a-51f5-bcf7-4ec4b208b35c.html
Rams running back Todd Gurley, the 10th pick in the NFL draft, has been cleared to begin practicing. Coach Jeff Fisher made the announcement at his weekly meeting with reporters at Rams Park.
“So that’s good news,’’ Fisher said. “Now we’re going to progress him slowly, but he’ll be able to participate in seven-on-seven and team (11-on-11) drills. To this point, he’s just been participating in the one-on-ones. We’ll take it slow, but it’s going to fun to get him on the practice field.’’
Fisher said that Gurley, who had ACL surgery on his left knee in November, will not play in the preseason.
“No, we don’t have any intention of doing that,’’ the coach said. “We’re just going to slowly increase his reps and see how he progresses. He may need a day off here or there, but it’s good news. Dr. (James) Andrews was really pleased with his progress, so he’s cutting him loose... (but) he’ll continue to wear the brace.’’
Fisher noted that Gurley did not actually see Dr. Andrews but that the team forwarded the results from a testing protocol from Rams Park.
When asked if the team was anticipating Gurley being ready for the season opener Sept. 13 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks, Fisher said, “Don’t know. Gonna bring him along slow.’’
On draft day, Fisher and general manager Les Snead referred to Gurley as a special and complete back and as the team’s running back of the future.
At the University of Georgia, the 6-foot-1, 222-pound Gurley rushed for 100-plus yards in 18 games. He scored 44 career touchdowns, which ranks second in school history behind Bulldogs legend Herschel Walker. But he never approached the 1,385 yards and 17 TDs he amassed as a freshman in 2012 because of injuries and suspensions.
He missed three games in 2013 with an ankle injury, finishing with 989 yards. As a junior he served a four-game suspension for accepting money for autographed memorabilia and, in his return to action, hurt his knee against Auburn in November. He finished his junior season with 911 yards and nine touchdowns.
“He’s excited. He had a blast in the warmups last night,’’ Fisher said. “His fun stopped when the game started because he wanted to play. He understands the situation he’s in.’’
MORE INJURY NEWS
Not a lot of good news to report from Nashville, but Fisher said that the Rams didn’t have a single player in the training room after Sunday night’s game in Nashville.
“You usually have something,’’ the coach said. “There’s usually an MRI or there’s an X-ray. ... It’s good news.’
’Fisher said that rookie offensive lineman Cody Wichmann had been removed from the physically unable to perform list and will also return to practice Tuesday. Wichmann, a sixth-round draft choice from Fresno State, has been slowed with a calf injury.
Fisher also feels there’s a chance that guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder), defensive tackle Michael Brockers (shoulder) and wide receiver Brian Quick (shoulder) have a chance to play Saturday when the Rams host the Indianapolis Colts in the teams’ third preseason game.
“A couple of guys, Rodger and Michael, they have a chance this week. We’ll just see,’’ the coach said.
Quick has been coming along slowly after suffering a major shoulder injury last season.
“I think he’s got a chance to play this week,’’ Fisher said. “We’re taking the yellow hat off him; the yellow hat tells the defense ‘don’t hit me’ on the practice field; the yellow hat is like a red jersey. I’m going to take the yellow hat off of Brian and put it on Todd; I may have a ceremony tomorrow and let Brian graduate and pass it over to Todd.’’
Fisher said that center Tim Barnes, the fourth-year pro from Mizzou, did not play Sunday because of lower-leg soreness.
RAM-BLINGS
Robert Quinn, the Rams’ two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, was impressed with what he saw of 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota on Sunday night in Nashville.
“I think he’s gonna be a special player,’’ Quinn said after the Titans’ 27-14 preseason win. “They’ve got him moving out of the pocket (and) even when he’s sitting in the pocket, he’s delivering some nice passes. It’s still early, but they might have a nice piece of talent over there with that quarterback.’’
Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick last spring, was on the field for just 18 offensive snaps Sunday. He completed five of eight passes for 59 yards and also rushed once for a yard. He showed excellent pocket presence and was the victim of a pair of dropped passes, including one in the end zone.
• Former Mizzou TE Chase Coffman hauled in a pair of touchdown passes Sunday and said it was a thrill to play well against the Rams.
“Just trying to make plays and show that I can be counted on,’’ the sixth-year pro said. “It’s fun playing against a team from the hometown state, but we go to Kansas City next week,’’ he said. “That’s my hometown, so it’ll definitely be special.’’
A third-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009, Coffman starred in football and basketball at Raymore-Peculiar High in suburban Kansas City.
• Another former Tigers’ standout TE, Michael Egnew, was waived Monday by the Saints. Egnew was selected by Miami in the third round of the 2012 draft. ... Jacksonville placed former Illini WR Arrelious Benn on injured reserve with a fractured collarbone; a second-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2010, Benn lands on IR for the third straight season.... Former Ram Brandon Gibson was also placed on IR by the Patriots. Gibson suffered a knee injury over the weekend.