Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson to take the load off Todd Gurley?

The Los Angeles Rams know they need to preserve Todd Gurley for big games. Could rookie Darrell Henderson play a bigger role than we think?

Keeping star running backs healthy in the NFL is a brutal task for any team, no matter how good your player is. That’s especially true for guys like Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, who has a history with some knee issues.

Gurley was infamously ineffective for the Rams in last year’s playoff run, touching the ball just 34 times in three games. He was borderline unavailable for the Rams in the Super Bowl when they lost to the New England Patriots, and no matter how close to the vest they have kept his health concerns, the Rams showed their cards in the 2019 NFL Draft.

They did so by taking Memphis running back Darrell Henderson — arguably the top player at his position in this class — with the 70th overall pick.

Henderson is a 5-foot-8, 207 pound back who ran a 4.37 at the 2019 Scouting Combine. That speed translates on the field.

Henderson’s breakaway speed is not his only great trait, however. He’s elusive in the open field. He’s got natural pass catching and ball tracking ability. He’s got vision. He’s slippery in the open field.

Henderson can really do it all which is why some had him as their RB1 in a sort of ‘down’ year for the position.

The Rams aren’t down on Henderson at all, however.

It’s good news for the Rams if they love Henderson that much. They are going to need him.

Todd Gurley simply cannot sustain a 300-touch season this year. Maybe he can, but is that what’s best for him or the team long term?

They may try to bring Henderson along slowly at the beginning of the season, but don’t be surprised if he and Gurley end up splitting touches almost 50-50 until the Rams get to the playoffs.

The Rams can, of course, play this situation somewhat by ear. They don’t have to force Henderson into touches if the team’s not having success. They won’t be able to ‘save’ Gurley for anything if they aren’t winning games and if he’s healthy enough to help them win games, he’s going to get the ball until they have things secured.

But if the Rams can have their cake and eat it too, meaning they are winning games and Gurley’s touches are limited, they would probably prefer it.

There’s nothing wrong with a running back by committee approach if you’re the Rams. That only matters to fantasy football players. Nobody is going to want Gurley’s touches to be limited who has him in fantasy, but Henderson is more than just a ‘handcuff’ for the Rams and fantasy players.

Henderson has a chance to take at least 200 touches this year. If the Rams can limit Gurley to 150-200 regular season touches and keep him available for 25-30 touches per game in the postseason, they might finally be able to recapture that Super Bowl winning feeling.