THOUSAND OAKS — Todd Gurley appeared on the Rams’ injury report Friday, not on the practice field. That’s nothing to cause alarm. But it sends a loud signal.

It confirms that the coaches will treat their star ball carrier and pro football’s most talked-about left knee more gingerly this season, hoping regular rest between games will keep Gurley fit for performances like his 89-yard second half in the Rams’ victory at Carolina last Sunday.

He is fully expected to start when the Rams (1-0) face the New Orleans Saints (1-0) Sunday at the Coliseum.

Gurley did practice Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday, in keeping with head coach Sean McVay’s stated plan for the running back to go “probably two out of three days” depending on how he feels. Essentially Gurley is getting what are commonly called veterans’ days off, similar to what the Rams give to left tackle Andrew Whitworth, 37. What makes it remarkable is that Gurley just turned 25.

McVay said it’s not specifically about the knee, which kept Gurley out of two games and appeared responsible for his lighter workload at the end of last season.

Gurley, too, tried to downplay it in his weekly appearance in the Rams press room Thursday evening.

“It’s been the exact same thing the last couple of years. It’s nothing new,” Gurley said when a reporter asked if he has a definitive practice schedule. “I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention the last couple of years, but my schedule as far as practice has been the exact same way.”

For the benefit of those who, for whatever unimaginable reason, have not been paying rapt attention to Todd Gurley’s practice schedule the last couple of years: No, this is not exactly the same. He took occasional practice days off during the 2018 season. It was during training camp this summer that he basically began skipping alternate days.

Friday’s Rams injury report notes that he missed practice but, under “Injury,” says “Not injury related.”

Sunday would be a good time to prove Gurley is, as he says, “fine.” Two sharp halves would mark a contrast from the Panthers game, in which Gurley took a back seat (8 yards on 5 carries) to Malcolm Brown in the first 30 minutes before playing a crucial role in keeping L.A. in front in the second.

The two Saints games were among Gurley’s least productive last year: 68 yards rushing, 11 receiving in the Saints’ win in Week 9, 10 rushing and 4 receiving (on 4 carries and 1 catch) in the Rams’ win in the NFC championship game).

“I’m not going to have a good game every game. I’ve had 50-plus good games, but I’m pretty sure I’ve had five or six bad games. That’s just football,” Gurley said this week.

The 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year seems to be using questions about his health for motivation.

He posted a slick hype video on social media the day before the Carolina game, featuring clips of TV talking heads predicting his decline and ending with Gurley shouting into the camera on the sideline of a game: “Don’t play with me!”

He was asked this week what the video aimed to express.

“Just a video,” Gurley said. “You can take it however you want to take it. Whoever. Just a video.”

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Rams running backs Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown fighting injuries Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein said teammates shut out the chatter about Gurley.

“I’m not going to speak on anyone’s health or anything like that,” Havenstein said. “All I have to say is we’re listening to the noise in this room, and what we see from the guys in practice, and how we see the guys train, guys lift, guys go about their business on a day-to-day basis in this building. That’s all we’re worried about.

“I’m never going to doubt Todd Gurley.”

Medical updates

Safety Eric Weddle was cleared from concussion protocol and returned to full practice Friday. Linebacker Clay Matthews (back) and defensive end Michael Brockers (shoulder) also returned to full practice. They’re all expected to play Sunday.

Weddle said he received seven stitches above his right temple after being bloodied by a knee to the side of the head from Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey and leaving the game in the second quarter.

As frightening as the play looked, Weddle said he didn’t lose consciousness and was “perfectly fine” in the locker room by halftime.