Rams Wednesday practice updates; Gurley sits, Welker playing catch-up

By Michael Condon | Nov 11, 2015

It’s been a busy week for the St. Louis Rams. Coming off their overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the team learned that third-year wideout Stedman Bailey would miss the next four games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. The defense stood tall on Sunday, but were without defensive ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn, and an already thin offensive line was without standout rookie Rob Havenstein.

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However, the Rams are looking to get back on track and are looking ahead to their Week 10 matchup with the Chicago Bears. The team went out and signed veteran wide receiver Wes Welker and will look to plug him into the line up as soon as possible. Rookie running back Todd Gurley is also getting the veterans treatment even though he isn’t one.

Gurley sat out Wednesday’s practice as a coaches decision/day of rest. Hurley has rushed for 664 yards on 118 carries and four touchdowns, despite missing the first three games of the season. Gurley is now just over one year removed from his torn ACL injury suffered in college, and a day of rest every now and again is probably a good idea. He was recently voted midseason Rookie of the Year by ESPN and NFL Nation.

Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Rams 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Other notable names on the injury report for Wednesday include defensive ends Robert Quinn (knee) and Chris Long (knee). Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle), safety T.J. McDonald (foot) and linebacker Akeem Ayers (illness) also missed Wednesday’s session. St. Louis will have their normal day off Thursday, so another day should certainly help these guys along, but doubt still lingers for the weekend.

Head coach Jeff Fisher noted that there was a good chance Quinn and Havenstein would be back to practice on Friday, but that Long could still be a couple weeks away from returning. Long was injured in the Rams Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers when he collide in a knee-toknee collision with a Green Bay offensive lineman.

In a small slice of good news, linebacker James Laurinaitis says the Welker has been in the building early and staying late to gain as much ground as possible in hopes of playing on Sunday. It’s possible Welker does not go. If he sits, expect rookie Bradley Marquez to fill in for the suspended Bailey. Running back Chase Reynolds was a full participant on Wednesday.