ATLANTA — Three times in nine months, C.J. Anderson got the dreaded call that he was being released.

And all three times, Anderson believed the Broncos, Carolina and Oakland giving up on him wasn’t an indictment on his talent as a running back.

The Broncos?

“Because of salary cap space and because of a young running back in Devontae Booker they drafted,” Anderson said.

The Panthers?

“Christian McCaffrey emerged.”

The Raiders?

“Two o-linemen got hurt and you need to protect Derek Carr.”

In four games for the Los Angeles Rams, Anderson’s self-confidence has been confirmed. He can still gain yards. He can still score touchdowns. He can still carry a team’s running game.

Anderson, signed by the Rams last month, has rushed 82 times for 476 yards and four touchdowns in two regular season and playoff games apiece (all wins). Todd Gurley will start in Sunday’s Super Bowl against New England, but Anderson will have a role.

“It was not a talent issue, if that makes sense,” Anderson said of his 2018 travels. “I would say I fit all of those schemes and systems well. At 27 years old, I was still in my prime.”

Anderson’s nomadic adventure began when he was cut by the Broncos on April 16, two years into a four-year, $18 million contract. He led the Broncos with 1,007 rushing yards in 2017.

Both sides explained the move as salary cap-related (the Broncos saved $4.5 million), but the other indicators were either clear or would become clear.

After the 2017 season, running backs coach Eric Studesville (the only position coach in Anderson’s career) was fired. During the pre-draft process, the Broncos hosted Rashaad Penny and Ronald Jones for visits. And on draft weekend, the Broncos selected Royce Freeman (third round) and David Williams (seventh round) and signed free agent Phillip Lindsay.

Out of the Broncos’ plans, Anderson didn’t wait long (23 days) before joining the Panthers. But he had only 24 carries in nine games and was waived Nov. 12.

Three weeks later, Anderson signed with the Raiders, but was waived six days later without appearing in a game.

Veterans cut in early December rarely re-surface in general — especially not with a playoff team. But the Rams called after backup running back Malcolm Brown sustained a fractured clavicle.

Anderson signed with Los Angeles on Dec. 19, a move that proved valuable because Gurley was nursing a bad knee. As Gurley was held out, Anderson rushed 20 times for 167 yards and 23 times for 132 yards in wins over Arizona and San Francisco that helped the Rams secure a first-round playoff bye.

“The thing C.J. did coming in was that he was all about the work,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “He did a great job on a short week digesting the game plan and you could immediately see that he was a very smart, cerebral player and had a great understanding of the big picture of the running back spot.”

Gurley returned for the Dallas playoff game and gained 115 yards on 16 carries. But there was still plenty of work for Anderson, who gained 123 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

“He’s done a great job for them,” Patriots defensive line coach Brendan Daly said. “We played him when he was in Denver and he was a good, productive back and we had a hard time dealing with him. Since he got picked up by the Rams, he’s been tremendous and they’ve used him well.”

In the win over New Orleans, Gurley carried only four times for 10 yards. Anderson rushed 16 times for 44 yards.

“You show me anybody that’s great in anything they do and I’ll show you somebody that has persevered and demonstrated mental toughness to overcome obstacles,” McVay said of Gurley. “I have to do a much better job of giving Todd opportunities (Sunday) and get him going. He’s going to be a big part of this game.”

And Anderson might be, too.

This will be Anderson’s third Super Bowl. He gained nine yards on two carries in the Broncos’ Super Bowl loss to Seattle and rushed 23 times for 90 yards (one touchdown) in the win over Carolina.

“All three Super Bowl appearances are the same,” Anderson said. “The difference is my story and how I got here. We always played the Patriots for something big (during his Broncos’ career), but playing them for it all is the only other difference.”