The Sports Xchange

Running back Todd Gurley, the St. Louis Rams’ first-round draft pick, has been cleared to practice with the team.

The team had been easing Gurley into action as he recovered from surgery for a torn ACL suffered last November while he played for Georgia.

“We’re gonna progress him slowly, but he’ll be able to participate in the 7-on-7 team drills,” coach Jeff Fisher said Monday. “Up to this point, he’s just participated in the 1-on-1s. So we’ll take it slow, but it’ll be fun to get him on the practice field.”

Fisher said Gurley will not play in the preseason, and the coach said he didn’t know whether Gurley will be ready for the season opener Sept. 13 vs. the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams reportedly are prepared to go without Gurley for the first couple of games.

“We’re just gonna slowly increase his reps and see how he progresses,” Fisher said. “He may need a day off here and there, but it’s good news. Dr. (James) Andrews was really pleased with his progress, the way he’s cutting.”