Los Angeles Rams Running Back Todd Gurley Doubtful To Play in 2019 NFL Preseason

Concern about Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley's knee isn't abating. Gurley isn't doing any on-field work during OTAs, and general manager Les Snead said he doubts Gurley will play at all in the 2019 NFL preseason, per ESPN. Gurley sat out the final two regular-season games last year with knee swelling, then was limited to only 34 touches in three postseason games.

Right before the 2019 NFL Draft, Gurley -- who led the NFL with 21 touchdowns (four receiving) last season -- would not confirm or deny that he has arthritis in his knee. Then the Rams moved up in the third round to grab explosive running back Darrell Henderson out of Memphis.

Gurley tore the ACL in his left knee in November 2014, his final season at Georgia. But in the NFL, Gurley has played 58 of a possible 64 regular-season games.

Coach Sean McVay insisted the team is "really pleased with where Todd's at right now."

The Rams are coming off a 13-3 Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, and expectations are sky high for 2019.

At 8-1, L.A. is tied for the third-lowest odds to win Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, Fla. For Week 1, sportsbooks list the Rams as 3-point road favorites at Carolina.

Last summer, the Rams signed Gurley to a four-year, $57.5 million contract extension that runs through the 2023 season. According to CBS Sports, the deal "does not have a realistic exit point until after the 2021 season."