Rams RB Todd Gurley hopeful of playing in Pro Bowl

ST. LOUIS -- Todd Gurley hopes to play in the Pro Bowl.

"Heck, yeah," the St. Louis Rams rookie running back said Monday while cleaning out his locker. "Everything's been going good and just got to keep treating it and rehabbing."

Rams coach Jeff Fisher was more circumspect, saying the Rams wouldn't alter the rehab plan to speed Gurley's return.

"He'll make the trip, I'm sure," Fisher said. "Then we'll make that decision, but we're not going to put him at risk."

Fisher said quarterback Case Keenum, who stepped up late in the season after Nick Foles was benched, would be the starter headed into training camp. St. Louis was last in the NFL in offense and last in passing.

Fisher, who'll enter his fifth season with a 27-36-1 record, added there was a possibility of staff changes, and mentioned the possibility of a Wednesday news conference. The coach downplayed worries about the franchise relocating to Los Angeles, saying he'd be working under the assumption the Rams would be in St. Louis.

"I chose not to ask questions so I can tell the truth when I'm asked questions," Fisher said. "We're moving through the normal offseason protocol."

Gurley missed the season finale with turf toe. He's wearing a boot on his right foot but is optimistic the injury will heal in a few weeks. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, also headed to the Pro Bowl after a getting 11 sacks in a dominating season, said he'd dive right back into training soon.

"I can't take long weeks off, I just feel like I'd let myself go," Donald said. "So I've just got to take a week off, let my body heal, and get back at it."

Gurley, the 10th pick of the draft, was third in the NFL with 1,106 yards rushing even though he missed the first two games rehabbing from left knee surgery that cut short his final college season. He didn't start until Week 4.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the offseason," Gurley said. "Just rest my knee a bit, get it back stronger, and hopefully I won't have to keep on top of it every week like I was this year."

Outside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who missed most of the season with an ankle injury, thought he'd have been ready if the Rams made the playoffs. Ogletree began practicing during the final three weeks of the schedule, but the team backed off after getting eliminated from postseason consideration.

Defensive end Robert Quinn, coming off back surgery, could miss some of the offseason conditioning program in mid-March. For now, the medical staff is prescribing rest. Quinn wanted to be at Rams Park to gauge reaction from teammates after a disappointing 7-9 season. St. Louis was 4-3 heading into November before a five-game skid dashed hopes for a long-awaited turnaround year.

"You can still feel the passion and the fire," Quinn said. "We just have to figure out whatever it may be to finally get over that hump."

Safety T.J. McDonald (shoulder surgery) is closer to being healthy. He believes he'll be wearing a sling for probably another week.

Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis played much of the season with a torn elbow ligament, but has been told he likely doesn't need surgery,

Noteworthy

• Donald and Gurley were slam dunks for team MVP and rookie of the year in voting by players.
• Tight end Cory Harkey was selected Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award winner, and wide receiver Brian Quick, who overcame career-threatening shoulder surgery, won the Ed Block Courage Award.
• Kicker Greg Zuerlein was 20 for 30 on field goals, and Fisher said "in all likelihood" he will have competition in training camp.