Rams running back Todd Gurley did not participate in Thursday's practice.
But that's not necessarily cause for alarm, as Gurley told the media on Thursday afternoon that he's planning on playing in Sunday's penultimate regular-season game.
"Yeah, I think I'll be fine," Gurley said when asked straight up if he'll be able to play. The running back has been dealing with knee inflammation since Sunday's loss to the Eagles. "Just taking it day-by-day — recovering, resting, trying to feel better."
Gurley was fairly adamant that he would be on the field — even without practicing in Week 16 — in large part because of the sense of urgency the team feels to realize its goal of securing a first-round bye. And, of course, the team has also lost consecutive games for the first time since 2016.
"Obviously, we should've taken care of that two weeks ago — we didn't," Gurley said, referring to the fact that the Rams could've clinched a first-round bye with a victory over the Bears. "We're in the situation we're in now, that's why we need to win these last two games."
The running back was essentially asked twice what he thought of potentially being shut down for the rest of the regular season in order to be fresher for the playoffs. And, to be frank, it clearly wasn't an idea that appealed to him.
Check out photos of the Rams playing the Cardinals throughout the years.
Defensive tackle (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams tackles (11) Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (10) Pharoh Cooper of the Los Angeles Rams returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to head coach Sean McVay during a timeout against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive end (96) Matt Longacre of the Los Angeles Rams against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches pass and runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Offensive Guard (76) Rodger Saffold of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) rushes the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Cornerback (22) Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (32) Troy Hill of the Los Angeles Rams against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Ramik Wilson of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running-back #30 Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams with his third touchdown of the day during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL season game two match, on September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Defensive lineman (94) John Franklin-Myers of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
"I'm here to play ball," Gurley said. "I'm not worried about January 5th. We're on December 20th. We play a game Sunday. Playoffs are going to take care of themselves."
Head coach Sean McVay has said that he's not going to put Gurley in position to compromise his health — a point that Gurley himself made clear in his press conference.
"I'm not going to tell those guys I'm fine when I'm not — and go out there and could risk something else," Gurley said. "So, it's a two-way street. That's why we communicate with each other."
Gurley did admit he hasn't tried to run quite yet at this point in the week, which is worth noting. But based on what he was saying, it would be a bit surprising if Gurley wasn't on the field on Sunday, helping the Rams try to win their 12th game of the season.
Elsewhere on Los Angeles' injury report, running back Justin Davis (shoulder) also did not practice. But outside linebacker Samson Ebukam (illness) was back as as full participant.
Below is the full Thursday injury report for both teams:
LOS ANGELES RAMS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
RB Todd Gurley (knee)
RB Justin Davis (shoulder)
FULL
OLB Samson Ebukam (illness)
ARIZONA CARDINALS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DE Markus Golden (ankle)
WR J.J. Nelson (illness/not-injury related)
TE Ricky Seals-Jones (illness)
LIMITED
S Budda Baker (knee)
DT Rodney Gunter (foot)
CB David Amerson (concussion)
WR Trent Sherfield (ankle)
WR Chad Williams (hamstring)
FULL
WR Larry Fitzgerald (not-injury related)
S Rudy Ford (ribs)
CB Patrick Peterson (illness)
