Everyone is talking about Todd Gurley, the Rams star running back. But with the NFL season on the horizon, the state of his health is in question.
Even though he said he was ready to go when asked about his well-being, Los Angeles Rams plan on monitoring his workload. The job primarily belongs to Gurley, who ran for 1,251 yards and led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns, but the Rams added running back depth to their crowded backfield.
This is why they traded up and pulled off a stunning, curious move in the 2019 NFL Draft. This is why they used a third-round selection on Memphis star Darrell Henderson that caught a lot of you off guard and raised deep concerns about Gurley’s health.
If Gurley is not up to par, the Rams offensive guru, Sean McVay, can experiment with Henderson. Still, Gurley wouldn’t mind taking the young rookie under his wing to begin the season. But expect Henderson to have a big role in the Rams’ offense, especially if Gurley’s left knee gives out on him.
For now, though, he’s waiting for his turn and chances will increase in due time for the new kid on the block. For Henderson, it’s good to be around this type of culture and standing in the shadow of a premier running back. He can learn from the best, gain a different perspective on the game and quickly adapt to the NFL complexities.
No knock on Gurley, who has been a workhorse, but no one really knows how he’s doing health-wise – even if he’s downplaying the injury by saying he feels good. Only he knows, but could this be a breakout season for Henderson? This might be his shot to prove himself worthy.
Henderson’s NFL potential is clear. The Rams, believe it or not, have a plan for the rookie, and it’s to use him and give him an opportunity to showcase his talent. It’s clear that, regardless of how much playing time he will see, Henderson will certainly be explosive every chance he gets.
