The Sports Xchange

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have had a plan for running back Todd Gurley, who they selected with the 10th overall choice in April’s draft. They have followed it religiously, and now it appears Gurley is getting closer to getting on the field for a game.

Gurley did little in training aside from participating in individual drills, but was then cleared for contract late in camp. Still, he did little more than get reps with the second or third unit.

That changed this week. When the Rams convened for practice Tuesday in preparation for Sunday’s game at Washington, Gurley was running at times with the first unit. While head coach Jeff Fisher ruled him out of the season opener eight days before the game, he isn’t making any announcements so far this week.

When asked if there’s a chance Gurley could play against the Redskins, Fisher said, “Yeah, there’s always that possibility. I ruled him out in the preseason and ruled him out last week. I’m not ruling him out right now. We’ll see how he does, but this is a medical decision, a trainer’s decision, a collective decision. But we’ll see how he does this week.”

The addition of Gurley to the field, even in limited plays, and the return of Tre Mason, would help the running game, which was had to get by against Seattle with Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead. With Cunningham, starting, that also kept him from returning kickoffs.

Gurley has been patient throughout as he is 10 months out since tearing his ACL last Nov. 12 in a game against Auburn while at Georgia. But, of course, knowing the time is drawing near, he finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s almost that time,” he said. “It’s getting closer, so I’m excited about that. I wake up hyped to get the opportunity. But I’ve just go to prepare and stay focused and just stay calm. Not get too over-excited.”

Mason missed the opener because of a hamstring injury, but Fisher said he “looked good” on the practice field.