Rams RB Gurley won’t play against the 49ers
Running back Todd Gurley won’t play in the Los Angeles Rams’ divisional meeting with the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a bruised left thigh.
The Rams confirmed Gurley is out while they signed running back John Kelly to the active roster Saturday. Gurley missed practice all week after getting hurt in Los Angeles’ 30-29 loss at Seattle on Oct. 3.
Malcolm Brown is expected to make his second career start in Gurley’s place, with rookie Darrell Henderson as his backup. Brown, who has been Gurley’s backup for their five seasons with the Rams, has 114 yards and two touchdowns this season. Henderson, a third-round pick last spring, has two carries this season. Los Angeles cut undrafted rookie free agent receiver Nsimba Webster to make room for Kelly’s promotion from the practice squad to the active roster.
Despite the extra days off following the Rams’ narrow loss to the Seahawks, Gurley will miss his first game of the season. He missed two regular season games last December with a left knee injury, but returned for the playoffs.
Gurley is 19th in the NFL with 270 yards rushing, and he has yet to produce a 100-yard game. The star running back’s touches and snaps are down this season, although the Rams claim they aren’t reducing his use to preserve his health.
The Rams also will be without two former Pro Bowl performers on defense. Cornerback Aqib Talib is sitting out with bruised ribs, and linebacker Clay Matthews is out for at least a few weeks after breaking his jaw in Seattle.
Jets waive Falk
The New York Jets have waived quarterback Luke Falk to make room on the roster for newly reinstated linebacker Brandon Copeland. Falk started the last two games in place of Sam Darnold, who will play Sunday against Dallas after missing three games while recovering from mononucleosis. Falk went 47 of 73 for 416 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in three games with a 62.4 quarterback rating.
The Jets (0-4) have struggled in Darnold’s absence, ranking last in the NFL in total offense.
San Jose State product David Fales will serve as Darnold’s backup this week.
Seahawks have O-line problems
The Seattle Seahawks could be without starting offensive linemen Duane Brown and D.J. Fluker for today’s game at Cleveland.
Brown and Fluker were both listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. Fluker left Seattle’s game against the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury, while Brown has played through a biceps injury for a couple of weeks.
Coach Pete Carroll said Brown’s injury is uncomfortable and has not responded the way Seattle hoped. Carroll did not definitively rule out either player against the Browns, but the Seahawks could have some significant shuffling on the offensive line if both can’t go.
Converted tackle Jamarco Jones would likely start at right guard in place of Fluker, with George Fant stepping in at left tackle if Brown can’t play.
The Seahawks added depth by signing offensive lineman Jordan Roos and tight end Jacob Hollister from the practice squad before leaving for Cleveland. Seattle placed offensive lineman Ethan Pocic on injured reserve due to a lingering back injury after he was unable to participate in practice this week. Seattle also waived safety Adrian Colbert.