Fans need to stop worrying about Rams running back situation

Los Angeles Rams fans need to take a step back, and stop worrying so much about the running back position.

Who didn’t see this coming for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2019 NFL Draft?

Last weekend, the Rams drafted running back Darrell Henderson on Day 2 of the draft, and within minutes, connections were drawn.

Right away, social media wasted little time about how Los Angeles never would have traded up to the No. 70 pick to select the Memphis star if there weren’t some sort of concerns surrounding Todd Gurley‘s knee after months of trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

Sigh.

Emotions aside, let’s review the evidence. Gurley tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in college. During post-ACL repair, most athletes experience some occasional inflammation in the effected joint.

Generically, this is called “arthritis.”

This is what happened to Gurley at then end of the 2018 season, and it’s likely that the symptom did not subside fully during the playoff run, which impacted his performance in the NFC Championship along with the Super Bowl.

Nonetheless, he has not undergone any offseason surgery and the Rams have downplayed any suggestion of a long-term problem.

Before the draft, the Gurley fatalists were present, but held at bay. Now, their voices have been greatly amplified.

Never mind that the Rams continue to reassure fans regarding Gurley. Never mind that Henderson is more of a “change of pace” back than a feature back like Gurley. Never mind that the Rams easily could have re-signed C.J. Anderson if they were expecting to need a new workhorse.

Some worriers are undeterred.

If anything, any fans concerned over the situation could even look at this as the Rams taking out an insurance policy at the running back position because as much as they want this new dynamic duo to work out, if Gurley does struggle, at least Henderson will be there.

The Rams don’t expect Gurley’s career to coming to an end anytime soon, but rather the end of last season has forced them to face and plan for the prospect of not having Gurley.

In response, they’ve re-signed Malcolm Brown and drafted Henderson.

That’s their running back “life insurance” policy.

Now that this policy is in place, Rams fans can rest easy.  Nobody wants to see Gurley break down physically, but if he does, Los Angeles will be ready, whether it involves Brown or Henderson.