St. Louis Rams first round pick Todd Gurley will make his NFL debut on Sunday after sitting the first two weeks of the season while recovering from an ACL tear suffered late in his collegiate career, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed to Steve Wyche of NFL.com that the rookie running back will play.
Todd Gurley will make NFL debut vs. Steelers in Week 3
Gurley missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from a 2014 ACL tear, but will make his NFL debut on Sunday.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Gurley, 21, was selected by the Rams with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, despite suffering a serious knee injury at Georgia. He still chose to forgo his senior season and was the first running back taken in the NFL Draft, and the first to go in the top 10 since Trent Richardson three years prior and C.J. Spiller two years before that.
While it remains to be seen how much the Rams will play Gurley as they ease him back into action after he was listed as questionable on Friday, the rookie celebrated the news on Twitter that he would finally be on the field in a Rams uniform.
It's Gameday Yessirr!!
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) September 27, 2015 Gurley's NFL debut will come against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that enters Week 3 with the No. 1 offense in the NFL, but No. 25 in total defense. While the Steelers lead the NFL with 53 first downs allowed — after the New York Giants' 74 — the team is one of seven that hasn't yet allowed a rushing touchdown.
In his three seasons at Georgia, Gurley averaged 6.4 yards per carry and racked up 42 total touchdowns. In his junior season, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry and scored nine touchdowns in only six games before suffering his knee injury.
The Rams are No. 31 in total offense through two weeks and No. 27 in rushing with Tre Mason missing time as well. Benny Cunningham has handled the majority of the running duty for the Rams, but has just 45 yards rushing on 17 attempts, while Tavon Austin leads the team with 57 rushing yards on eight attempts.
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