Let’s be honest: The so-called rivalry between the 49ers and Rams has needed a little oomph for more than decade.

It requires two competitive teams to make for a compelling matchup, and these franchises have combined for four winning seasons since 2002. In the offseason, however, the Rams trekked from St. Louis back to Los Angeles after a 21-season absence, which inspires memories of a time when the NFC West matchup burned hotter.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has firsthand knowledge of San Francisco-Los Angeles 1.0. He was the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 1991 and the 49ers’ defensive backs coach in 1992-93. So what do you think, Jeff: Will the Rams’ return to Southern California rejuvenate this meeting?

“We’ve got to start winning games, both teams, and then I think it will start coming back,” Fisher said. “Both sides have a great tradition, a fan base that remembers some of the great matchups over the years. We’ve got a couple other teams in the division that we’re both chasing right now. But I think in time, this will be rekindled.”

Not surprisingly, Fisher’s quote hasn’t appeared in ESPN’s promotional material in advance of the Rams’ season-opening, prime-time visit to Levi’s Stadium on Monday night.

Rams-49ers: This will be good … in time … maybe after the Seahawks and Cardinals aren’t so good?

The 49ers and Rams combined for a 12-20 record last season, and chances for turnaround seasons appear dim because of their situations at the NFL’s most vital position.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert of the 49ers and Los Angeles’ Case Keenum will start in Week 1, but they could be back on a bench long before Week 17. Of the 54 QBs who have 400 attempts since 2011, Keenum ranks 41st in passer rating (79.8) and Gabbert is 53rd (71.9).

In fact, both teams’ fans are probably eager to see another quarterback on the roster take snaps.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if 49ers fans begin hollering for Colin Kaepernick if Gabbert struggles during an early-season stretch that includes visits in Weeks 2 and 3, repsectively, to the past two NFC champions: Carolina and Seattle. Keenum presumably is keeping the seat warm for rookie Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick from Cal who will be inactive Monday.

Keenum is the Rams’ fourth season-opening starting quarterback in the past four seasons, a stretch during which they’ve failed to crack the NFL’s top 20 in points scored. Last season, they ranked 29th in points and 13th in points allowed.

Keenum acknowledged the need to support a formidable defensive unit headlined by Pro Bowl linemen Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn.

“I think our defense is a talented defense that’s going to make big plays,” Keenum said, “and we’ve got to hold up our end on offense.”

If the Rams’ offense succeeds, it probably will receive a significant contribution from running back Todd Gurley, last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Despite missing the first two games because of an ACL tear he sustained in college, Gurley ranked third in the NFL in rushing (1,106 yards) and became the first rookie in NFL history to rush for at least 125 yards in four straight games.

Niners inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who led the NFL in tackles last year after missing 2014 with a severe knee injury, spoke to Gurley in the offseason. Part of their conversation was about coming back from their injuries.

“I expect him to feel a lot better than the year he came in,” Bowman said. “… He did what he did coming off an injury. Imagine when he has a year under his belt. I’m sure he’s coming in excited.”

Meanwhile, Gabbert is enthused about making his first season-opening start since 2013. His performance in eight season-ending starts last year (86.2 rating) was an improvement over his previous seasons in a career that hasn’t been marked by continuity. Head coach Chip Kelly is his sixth play-caller in six seasons, and Gabbert has suggested Kelly’s the best of the bunch.

“The feel that he has for games,” Gabbert said, “is something that I’ve never been around.”

Still, Kelly’s no-huddle offense steadily declined in most major offensive categories during his 47-game tenure with the Eagles. He’s known as an innovator, and it will be intriguing to see how his offense has evolved in his first game with his new team.

“I don’t really care what people say or blog about,” Kelly said of opinions that his offense has gone stale. “I mean, we don’t sit in our meeting room and say, ‘Hey, somebody blogged about this. Let’s talk about this.’ We’re just trying to get first downs and score points against whoever we’re playing that week.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch

Rams vs. 49ers

When: 7:15 p.m.

TV/Radio: Channel: 7 ESPN/810, 107.7

Spotlight on: RB Carlos Hyde: In Chip Kelly’s first two seasons with the Eagles, RB LeSean McCoy led the NFL in carries (626). In three seasons as Oregon’s head coach, his top running back did not average fewer than 20 carries a game. Now it’s Hyde’s turn to be Kelly’s workhorse back in an offense in which field-stretching WR Torrey Smith is the only other player who give s defenses pause.

Injuries: Rams — WR Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) is out. 49ers — First-string nickel CB Chris Davis (hamstring) is doubtful. CB Jimmie Ward is a candidate to move back to his old position, with rookie CB Rashard Robinson possibly playing outside.

The Big 3

Last year, the 49ers and Rams combined to score 518 points, just 18 more than the NFL-leading Panthers.

The 49ers’ top four WRs (Smith, Quinton Patton, Jeremy Kerley, Rod Streater) combined for 80 receptions last year, 56 fewer than NFL leaders Antonio Brown and Julio Jones.

It’s the first meeting between the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams since the Niners’ 31-27 win Nov. 20, 1994. Steve Young threw for 325 yards and four TDs, three to Jerry Rice (16 catches, 165 yards).

— Eric Branch

Davis expected to available

Right guard Anthony Davis returned to practice Sunday morning after a one-day absence, and he probably will be available for the season opener Monday night against the Rams, a league source said.

Davis, 26, was mulling retiring again after he left the NFL for the 2015 season to let his “brain and body” heal, the San Jose Mercury News reported Saturday. The Chronicle learned he met with team officials after Saturday’s practice and those discussions swayed him to stay with the team.

It appears those talks centered around Davis’ switch from right tackle to right guard during training camp. Davis no longer will play guard, a position he hadn’t played since his freshman season at Rutgers, and will serve only as a backup tackle, NinersNation.com reported. Andrew Tiller, who made seven starts last year, is listed as Davis’ backup on the team’s depth chart.

In August, Davis said he volunteered to make the position switch. On Thursday, head coach Chip Kelly said Davis was approached to make the move.

“We talked to him about trying to get our five best (offensive linemen) on the field, and obviously A.D.’s in our top five,” Kelly said on KNBR. “‘If we could move you to guard?’ He was all for it. ‘Whatever you need.’ He’s all about the team.”

Davis will remain listed as questionable on the injury report for a non-injury-related reason. Players who miss a practice during the week must be listed as questionable or doubtful, according to new league rules. The NFL no longer has the “probable” designation.

On Monday, Davis would be expected to frequently line up against Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who has 20 sacks in his first two seasons.

— Eric Branch