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Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley could be a bystander for a second straight game, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. Gurley missed his first game since his rookie season on Sunday in the Rams' 31-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
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The Pro Bowl running back, who is dealing with inflammation in his left knee, participated in pregame drills before the team elected to shut him down.
Rapoport said on "Good Morning Football" that the Rams may employ the same strategy for Sunday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers (4-11) because "nothing is more important than the playoffs."
Los Angeles would secure a first-round bye in the playoffs with a victory, while a loss coupled with a Chicago Bears' win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday would send the Rams into the wild-card round.
Backup C.J. Anderson, who was signed by Los Angeles on Tuesday, rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals.
Rams backup running back John Kelly added 10 carries for 40 yards while wide receivers Brandin Cooks (27 yards) and Robert Woods (15 yards, touchdown) and tight end Gerald Everett (16 yards) were used effectively on fly sweeps.
Gurley has rushed for 1,251 yards and has 59 receptions for 580 yards this season en route to recording a league-best 21 touchdowns (17 rushing, four receiving).
The 24-year-old Gurley is coming off a monstrous season in 2017 in which he led Los Angeles to the NFC West title. He became the first Rams player to win the Offensive Player of the Year award since running back Marshall Faulk in 2001.
The former University of Georgia product led the NFL in touchdowns (19), points scored among non-kickers (114) and scrimmage yards (2,093), in addition to finishing second in rushing yards (1,305). He also topped the league's running backs in receiving yards with 788 and his average of 6.1 yards per touch was the best in the NFL.
