Report: Gurley, Anderson expected to split carries
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley could be the key to defeating the New England Patriots on Sunday, but he's expected to split the workload with C.J. Anderson, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Gurley was limited during the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints, carrying the ball just four times. Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters Friday that Gurley is back to 100 percent after battling a left knee injury.
"If you look at a guy who hasn't really practiced in two or three weeks, then all of the sudden has to go out there and play (in the playoffs), the cardio isn't where it needs to be to play 60 or 70 plays," Rams running backs coach Skip Peete said on the "RapSheet and Friends" podcast. "And that's what he had been doing before he sat out. You need to kind of work him back where you put him in situations where it makes sense. That happened in the Dallas game, and I thought he did some things in the last game."
Gurley submitted another outstanding season in 2018-19, as he rushed for 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns to go along with 59 receptions for 580 yards and four additional touchdowns. The Rams star, who earned first-team All-Pro honors, missed the final two games of the regular season with the knee injury and watched Anderson excel in his absence, as he ran for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Anderson featured as the lead back against the Saints and rushed for 44 yards on 16 carries.