Although both Todd Gurley and the Rams downplayed his knee injury, it was clearly an issue during the NFC champions’ stretch run. More clarity emerged on that front to help explain the two-time All-Pro’s limited postseason usage.
Gurley has arthritis in his left knee, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (on Twitter). This is the same knee on which Gurley underwent ACL surgery in 2014, his final season at Georgia.
Sean McVay said this week surgery is “definitely” not in the cards but added during an interview with CBS Sports the Rams were examining “new methods” to help their ailing superstar. But it appears some form of rehab will be forthcoming, and the major investment the Rams made in Gurley does not look quite as good as it did last summer.
Still just 24, Gurley has posted three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and was on pace to push for a 25-plus-touchdown campaign in 2018. He missed the final two games of the regular season, scuttling that prospect and causing concern for his playoffs availability. Gurley was a key presence in the Rams’ ground-centered gashing of the Cowboys in the divisional round, but C.J. Anderson remain a big factor throughout the playoffs. Gurley averaged 5.3 yards per carry in the playoffs but totaled just 160 in Los Angeles’ three games, ceding time to Anderson and not frequently resembling his explosive pre-injury version.
Anderson, who made a seamless transition to McVay’s offense that is somewhat similar to the Gary Kubiak-based attack in which the Broncos’ former starter operated, is a free agent but would make sense as a longer-term Gurley insurance option.
Gurley’s gargantuan contract calls for $34.5MM in fully guaranteed money going forward. Another $9.5MM is guaranteed for injury. His status will obviously be something to monitor throughout the offseason.
wow
Ouch this hurts the Rams bad
I can’t believe we aren’t hearing anything more serious about his knee yet, unless the Rams are hiding even more. No way it’s just arthritis.
It could be that it is just arthritis but maybe it is more advanced for someone his age. Arthritis happens a lot after injuries, just like scar tissue. He can have a procedure to scrape some of the arthritis away but it can come back. The fact he already has it will probably shorten his career and will definitely have a negative impact on his quality of life when his career is over. Sad to see for the amount of talent he has, but there are a lot of players that never reach their potential because of injuries.
Looks like the best solution for the team is as much therapy and surgery as possible now to play out his contract and then an early retirement. If Gurley doesn’t want to go ahead with the fast track (there are medical consequences for him but he’s well paid for the risk), he’ll have to be dealt to a cap rich team who can afford to take a flyer on a part time running back.
Don’t remember seeing an NFL player struggle with arthritis that I can think of
Brady has to be close.
Lol
Funny how they’re downplaying the fact that the RAMS didn’t disclose any issue with Gurley for the playoffs or SuperBowl… seems like a pretty clear rules violation.