Georgia Bulldogs

Rams ease RB Gurley back into on-field practice reps

Published Aug. 26, 2015 3:01 a.m. ET

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ST. LOUIS -- Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley didn't get a lot of reps during Tuesday's practice, but the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 Draft took another step forward in his return from knee surgery.

"I was real excited," Gurley said. "I got the news a couple days ago, so I was definitely excited just to be able to get out here and get some reps."

Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced Monday that Gurley had been cleared to ramp up his work in practice. He had previously been limited to individual and rehab work and held out of seven-on-seven and team drills. He took part in those Tuesday, but still didn't get a lot of reps.

It was another positive step for the 21-year-old rookie.

"I haven't done nothing like this in like nine months, 10 months," Gurley said. "So it's been a while. I'm definitely excited about it."

The Rams were excited to get Gurley a little more work.

"Todd was excited to get in there and get a few offensive reps and get challenged with protections and formations and all that stuff," Fisher said. "He was good. We'll probably do this for the next few days and then we'll just add reps for him as we move forward."

The Rams will continue to take it slow with Gurley, whose junior season at Georgia was limited to six games after tearing the ACL in his left knee. He rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns in those six games with the Bulldogs last season and added 12 catches for 57 yards.

"It was great having him out there," Rams quarterback Nick Foles said. "He's going to be an impactful player in this league. I'm excited to get him out there and see what he's capable of doing. I know what he was capable of doing in college, so I'm excited to see what he does on this level for us."

Gurley was one of the best players in college football during his three years at Georgia.

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In 30 career games, he racked up 3,900 yards from scrimmage (3,285 yards rushing, 575 receiving) and 43 total touchdowns (36 rushing, six receiving and one kickoff return).

Gurley has had to learn how to be patient throughout the rehab process, working with the team trainers and coaches off to the side and then getting mental reps while his teammates ran through plays.

"It's definitely been a long couple months," Gurley said, "but hopefully, I'll be back soon."

Not too soon, however. Fisher reiterated Monday that Gurley won't play in either of the two remaining preseason games.

Gurley was asked following Tuesday's practice if it was his goal to play in the regular season opener against the visiting Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 13.

"I don't really think about that," the running back said. "That's what, two-three weeks from now? Right now it's just progress every day and we'll see how far that gets me."

NOTES: The Rams announced Tuesday they had hired Bud Sasser to be their external football affairs coordinator. Sasser was a wide receiver at the University of Missouri and the Rams' sixth-round draft pick this spring, but he failed his team physical after a heart condition was discovered. ... Offensive lineman Cody Wichmann, the team's other sixth-round pick, returned to full participation in practice after being limited by a strained calf muscle. ... Fisher said wide receiver Brian Quick, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his 2014 season, will make his preseason debut on Saturday night against the visiting Indianapolis Colts.

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