Rams RB Todd Gurley Won’t Play Today
With the Rams facing a potential cupcake matchup against the Cardinals this afternoon, the team has decided to sit one of their top offensive weapons. ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry reports (via Twitter) that running back Todd Gurley will not play against Arizona today.
The All-Pro running back did not practice this week after experiencing knee inflammation during last weekend’s loss to the Eagles. Gurley still finished that contest with 48 rushing yards and two scores, and there was some optimism that he’d be ready to go today. However, when you consider the Rams’ current playoff position, the decision isn’t all that surprising; the team has a pair of easy matchups to end the season, and they’re effectively two games back of the Saints in the home-field advantage race. Ultimately, it makes a whole lot more sense for the team to assure that Gurley is completely healthy heading into the postseason.
Of course, that’s not to say that the Rams won’t miss his presence on offense. The 24-year-old was having another standout season in 2018, compiling 1,251 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 256 carries. He also added another 59 receptions for 580 yards and four scores.
With backup Malcolm Brown on the injured reserve, the Rams’ running back depth chart is a bit in flux. The team will roll into today’s game with three healthy backs: former undrafted free agent Justin Davis, sixth-round rookie John Kelly, and recently-signed veteran C.J. Anderson. While Gurley still played the majority of the snaps last week, Kelly and Davis ended up splitting the rest of the reps. Despite having less than a week of practice with his new team, there seems to be some chatter than Anderson will take over as the Rams’ lead back.
Todd Gurley Yet To Resume Running
- On the subject of NFC injuries, Todd Gurley has yet to resume running after he experienced knee inflammation, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com notes. The fourth-year Rams running back returned to Sunday’s game but has not practiced this week. He does not plan to do so the rest of this week but does expect to play against the Cardinals. With the Rams facing two bottom-end teams during the final two weeks of this season (the Cards and 49ers), and being effectively down two games to the Saints in the home-field advantage race, it would not be a surprise if Sean McVay rested Gurley until the playoffs. McVay rested Gurley and other starters in Week 17 of last season, even though the Rams were not locked into a seed. The Rams, who have not held a first-round bye since 2003, are one game up on the Bears for this year’s No. 2 seed.
Cardinals Claim WR Pharoh Cooper
The Cardinals claimed former Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper off of waivers, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cooper was waived by the Rams on Tuesday to make room for running back C.J. Anderson. 
Cooper was a 2017 All-Pro as a return man, but his 2018 season in L.A. did not go as expected. A Week 1 injury sent Cooper to IR, and when he returned in November, he was relegated only to kick returns as Jojo Natson took over on punt return duty.
A 2016 fourth-round pick, Cooper averaged 12.5 yards per punt return in 2017 and returned one kick for a score. He struggled during Los Angeles’ playoff loss but was still prioritized by the NFC West champions this season. Now, the Cardinals have claimed Cooper’s contract, which runs through 2019.
The Cardinals likely see Cooper as a candidate for 2019’s roster, but he may also provide them with valuable intel in advance of their Week 16 matchup against the Rams.
Rams Waive Return Man Pharoh Cooper
When last year’s Pro Bowl rosters were unveiled, Pharoh Cooper was honored as the NFC’s return specialist. When the latest batch of Pro Bowl invites are announced Tuesday night, Cooper will be without a team.
The Rams cut the 2017 All-Pro return man today, sending him to the waiver wire. Cooper’s accolades would make him an intriguing waiver claim, but his 2018 season has not gone as expected.
A Week 1 injury sent Cooper to IR, but the Rams used the first of their two IR-boomerang slots on him last month. But Cooper did not get his punt-return job back, only returning kicks. This cut also comes after new punt returner Jojo Natson fumbled to impede a Rams comeback bid Sunday night.
A 2016 fourth-round pick, Cooper averaged 12.5 yards per punt return last season and returned a kick for a score. He struggled during Los Angeles’ playoff loss but was still prioritized by the NFC West champions this season. Now, another team could pick up Cooper’s through-2019 contract.
Rams To Sign C.J. Anderson
C.J. Anderson will soon be part of a fourth team this year. The longtime Broncos starter will land with the Rams, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
Rams starter Todd Gurley is day-to-day with knee inflammation, and Anderson — who surpassed 1,000 yards in 2017 but has not been able to stick with a team this year — would provide far more experience than Los Angeles’ current cadre of backups does.
With top Gurley backup Malcolm Brown out for the season, only sixth-round rookie John Kelly and former UDFA Justin Davis resided on L.A.’s roster. They have five career carries between them.
A four-year starter in Denver, Anderson played a key role for the franchise’s past two playoff-qualifying teams and stayed healthy throughout the 2017 season to gain 1,007 yards on the ground on an otherwise poor offense. But the Broncos released him in April, and Anderson’s subsequent Panthers affiliation did not last long. Carolina cut Anderson in November, and the Raiders employed him for merely a week.
This Rams stay may be short, too, or, considering the lack of experience behind Gurley, the team may eye the 27-year-old back as a stretch-run No. 2 behind its All-Pro.
Todd Gurley Day-To-Day With Knee
- Todd Gurley‘s knee injury surely terrified millions of fantasy owners, and it would throw another wrench in a slumping Rams attack. But Sean McVay said Monday (via ESPN.com’s Lindsey Thiry, on Twitter) Gurley is day-to-day with knee inflammation. This does not mean the All-Pro running back is a lock to face the Cardinals on Sunday, but it appears Gurley has dodged a multi-week injury and will be fine for the playoffs at the latest.
Fritz Pollard Alliance Recommends GM Candidates
The Fritz Pollard Alliance has released its annual list of minority candidates for general manager vacancies. Much like the latest batch of recommended coaching hires, the suggested GM list is more than twice as long as last year’s. 
[RELATED: Fritz Pollard Alliance Recommends Head Coaching Candidates]
Here’s the full rundown, via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link):
- Ray Agnew (Rams)
- Joey Clinkscales (Raiders)
- Quentin Harris (Cardinals)
- Alonzo Highsmith (Browns)
- Brad Holmes (Rams)
- Champ Kelly (Bears)
- Martin Mayhew (49ers, ex-Lions GM)
- Will McClay (Cowboys)
- Jimmy Raye III (Lions)
- Jerry Reese (ex-Giants GM)
- Doug Whaley (ex-Bills GM)
- Doug Williams (Redskins)
Clinkscales, Highsmith, McClay, and Williams were all featured on last year’s list, but none of those executives landed GM jobs. The only executive from the last round of recommendations who did not carry over to this year was Ray Farmer, the former Browns GM who is currently serving as a senior consultant with the Rams.
Of the dozen suggested executives on this list, only three sat for GM interviews in the last cycle: Mayhew (Panthers), Raye (Texans), and Whaley (Packers). McClay was asked to interview for the Texans opening, but declined the opportunity and instead signed a two-year extension to stay with the Cowboys. McClay may garner consideration again this time around, but he might not be interested in leaving Dallas.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/12/18
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Keith Ford, S Dean Marlowe
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Nico Siragusa (from Ravens practice squad)
- Placed on IR: G Byron Bell
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Jamil Demby (from Lions practice squad)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: G/C Hroniss Grasu
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed off Texans’ practice squad: DE Daeshon Hall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
Washington Redskins
- Signed off Texans’ practice squad: G Kyle Fuller
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/18
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Jonathan Anderson
- Signed from Seahawks’ practice squad: DT Vincent Valentine
- Placed on IR: LB Thurston Armbrister
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: CB Taron Johnson
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Trevon Young
- Placed on IR: Dominique Hatfield
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: OL Cameron Hunt, OL Denver Kirkland
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed off Cowboys’ practice squad: S Tyree Robinson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Tanner Hudson
- Placed on IR: LB Kevin Minter
Washington Redskins
- Signed off Texans’ practice squad: G Kyle Fuller
- Waived: C Demetrius Rhaney
NFL Workout Updates: 12/11/18
Here’s the latest from the NFL’s workout circuit, all links going to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account (unless otherwise noted). The first day teams can sign players to reserve/futures contracts is New Year’s Eve.
Arizona Cardinals
- DT Toby Johnson (link)
Buffalo Bills
- LB Marquis Flowers (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak)
Cleveland Browns
- WR Chance Allen, WR Devin Lucien, WR Brandon Reilly, T Dakoda Shepley, LB Alex Singleton (link)
Denver Broncos
- WR Shay Fields, LB Chris Frey, CB Kameron Kelly, LB Hau’oli Kikaha, CB Trevon Mathis, QB Bo Levi Mitchell (CFL tryout), DL Henry Mondeaux, LB Tegray Scales, LB Robert Spillane, WR Greg Ward (Twitter links)
Detroit Lions
- DT Joshua Frazier, DT Greg Gilmore, DE Alec James, T Jarron Jones, LB Jacob Pugh, DT Elijah Qualls, DE Jonathan Wynn (link)
Green Bay Packers
- DB Tevaughn Campbell (link)
Houston Texans
- LB Kennan Gilchrist, CB Josh Hawkins (Twitter links)
Indianapolis Colts
- CB Johnathan Alston, T William Poehls, DT DeShawn Williams (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WR C.J. Board, LB Farrington Huguenin, DE Alec James, TE Marcus Lucas, TE Troy Mangen, WR Jordan Veasy, LB Antwione Williams (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- LB Sam Eguavoen (CFL tryout) (link)
New York Jets
- LB Zaire Anderson, LB Kwaku Boateng (CFL tryout), RB Joel Bouagnon, RB Mack Brown, RB Martez Carter, LB Jonathan Celestin, LB Avery Ellis (CFL tryout), LB Manase Hungalu, K Ty Long (CFL tryout), T Ryker Mathews (CFL tryout), WR Bryant Mitchell (CFL tryout), RB Akrum Wadley, WR D’haquille Williams (CFL tryout) (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LB Emmanuel Smith (link)
Tennessee Titans
- T Cornelius Lucas, G/T Austin Pasztor (Twitter links)
Washington Redskins
- G Kaleb Johnson, G Jordan Morgan, T Norman Price (link)