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C.J. Anderson looks like old self with 167-yard day filling in for Todd Gurley

Less than a week after signing with the Los Angeles Rams, running back C.J. Anderson looks like he could become a key part of the team’s playoff push.

With star back Todd Gurley a late scratch because of a balky knee, Anderson exceeded all expectations by rushing for 167 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Sunday’s 31-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

But it wasn’t so long ago that C.J. Anderson was a feature back in the league. A Pro Bowler in 2014, Anderson surpassed 1,000 yards in 2017 before landing with the Carolina Panthers late in free agency. And after being released following just 104 yards and 24 carries over 10 games in Charlotte, Anderson has seemingly found the perfect fit in Los Angeles.

Rams running back C.J. Anderson picks up his first rushing touchdown of the season while filling in admirably for Todd Gurley. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Rams running back C.J. Anderson picks up his first rushing touchdown of the season while filling in admirably for Todd Gurley. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The impossible task of replacing Gurley

Before his knee injury last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Gurley was a front runner to repeat as the Offensive Player of the Year with another dominant season. His 17 rushing touchdowns were five more than any other player, and his 1,251 yards on the ground were second only to Ezekiel Elliott.

Gurley is such a threat at 4.9 yards per carry that the Rams can run one of the league’s highest rate of play-action plays. Replacing Gurley is nearly impossible, although Anderson did as good of a Gurley impression as anyone.

One of the most impressive parts of Anderson’s day was how easily he was able to shed defenders. Anderson picked up 105 of his 167 rushing yards after contact, which was more than Gurley has picked up in any game in his career. In fact, it’s the most by any Rams rusher in the past 10 years.

Anderson picked up more than five yards on 12 of his 20 rushes, highlighted by a 46-yard scamper on his final touch of the day.

How does Anderson fit upon Gurley’s return?

Gurley did not practice all week but was expected to play Sunday until his pregame warm-up did not go as planned. The Rams didn’t want to risk a longer-term injury to their star, even with a potential first-round bye and home field advantage on the line.

However, with the New Orleans Saints locking up the top seed in the NFC, the Rams will now have to avoid losing to the 4-11 San Francisco 49ers, while Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings, as unlikely as it is (FiveThirtyEight gives it a 6 percent chance) the Rams could lose their first-round bye with a loss and a Bears win.

The Rams likely won’t rush Gurley back, but whenever he does return, Anderson could be an overqualified complementary back. He’s used to splitting carries, whether it was Ronnie Hillman or Devontae Booker with the Denver Broncos. In Carolina, he only got five carries in two games, but he’s shown his value in short spurts with the Rams.

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