Rams' Gurley takes snaps with first-string offense

ST. LOUIS (AP) For Week 1, Jeff Fisher ruled out rookie running back Todd Gurley more than a week in advance.

This week, things are more promising for Gurley, the 10th pick in the 2015 draft.

Gurley, rehabbing from left knee surgery, took snaps with the first-string offense for the first time on Tuesday, and coach Jeff Fisher wouldn't rule out the running back for this week at Washington.

''We'll see how he does,'' Fisher said. ''But this is a medical decision, a trainers' decision, a collective decision.''

Gurley was the first running back drafted in the first round since 2012, even though he was injured. After making the selection, Fisher called Gurley the ''running back of our future.''

Gurley missed the team's opening 34-31 overtime win over the Seahawks.

''It's almost that time,'' Gurley said. ''It's getting closer. So, I'm excited about that.''

Watching from the sideline made him want to speed the process.

''Yeah, man, I wake up hyped,'' Gurley said. ''I've just got to prepare and just stay focused and calm, not get too over-excited.''

Gurley has been steadily increasing activity coming off left knee surgery that cut short his final college season at Georgia.

Conditioning might be more of a factor than familiarity with the offense.

''I'm not concerned about him knowing what to do whatsoever,'' Fisher said. ''He knows what to do.''

Gurley had 911 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in six games for Georgia, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. He had 18 100-yard games, including a career-best 208 yards against Tennessee last year, and scored 44 touchdowns - second in school history behind Herschel Walker's 52.

Backup Tre Mason also missed the opener with a hamstring injury, and Benny Cunningham got the start, contributing 45 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving.

Fisher said Mason, the primary starter last year as a rookie, also got work with the starters Tuesday.

Wide receiver Brian Quick is still rounding into form after career-threatening shoulder surgery. It was a bit of a surprise that he did not make the active roster for the opener.

''He's just going to have to be patient,'' Fisher said. ''He's coming, he's missed a lot of time.''

Quick had 25 catches with a 15-yard average in seven games last year, all but one of them starts. He wants to be out there but understands the process.

''I've got to work my way in slowly because I missed a lot of football,'' Quick said. ''There can't be any ifs.''

Notes: CB Trumaine Johnson (concussion) participated in stretching and individual drills, a positive sign for this week, but won't be cleared until later in the week. ... The Rams are experimenting with the practice week schedule, taking Thursday off instead of Tuesday the first two weeks. Fisher said a team study indicated players might be fresher for game day. ''The players are good with it,'' Fisher said. ''They loved the schedule last week; they felt fresh going into the game and had a lot of energy.''

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