Gurley won't play in preseason, Goff uncertain

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley will not play at all this preseason, and quarterback Jared Goff might not play either, head coach Sean McVay told reporters Thursday.

There had been no expectation that Gurley would play in Saturday's dress-rehearsal preseason game against the Houston Texans, but McVay had previously indicated Goff would play versus Houston.

That likelihood has shifted with the health of starting offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan, who will miss Saturday's game. Right tackle Rob Havenstein also could miss the game with an ankle injury, which could leave Goff with unproven protection against J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney & Co.

"I wouldn't feel great about going against those guys without our line," McVay said. "But we'll see what happens."

This week would be the last opportunity for the signal-caller to play, as starters will be rested in the Aug. 30 preseason finale. Goff is not concerned about the situation either way.

"Whatever they decide to do, I'm on board with," he said. "I think we got a lot of good work in training camp through different situations that may come up. But [I'm] planning to play and see what happens."

The Rams' approach with Gurley is less complicated. They are simply making sure the reigning Offensive Player of the Year is at 100 percent for the season opener, after he handled 343 touches last season.

"We feel like this is going to put him on that track, and that was more important to us [than Gurley playing]," McVay said. "You try to get him as much good work as you can.

"...You definitely don't want to take away from the value of the preseason, so I don't want that to be misunderstood by any stretch. But, [there is] that risk-reward and then also kind of being mindful of getting Todd as fresh as possible."

Gurley is certainly not complaining about the lack of work before Week 1.

"That is everyone's dream to not play in the preseason, what are you talking about?" Gurley joked with reporters. "...At the end of the day, it's always going to be different between playing in the preseason and playing in the regular season. But I'm kind of happy not to be playing in it.

"...Some guys just like being out there, just to get a feel for it, and see. But not this guy."

Goff appeared in three preseason games last season, while Gurley appeared in two. The Rams did not hesitate to hold both players out to preserve their health in Week 17 of the regular season, after the team had already clinched the NFC West.

L.A. opens the season on Sept. 10 on Monday Night Football against the Oakland Raiders.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)