For the past two years, Todd Gurley has been the Los Angeles Rams’ most consistent player on offense. Not only is he highly productive and talented, but he’s almost always available. And as he said on HBO’s “The Shop” last week, “your best ability is availability.”

Unfortunately, he hasn’t been available since the Rams’ loss to the Eagles, missing the last five practice sessions and Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. He’s dealing with knee inflammation and while it’s not a serious injury, it does have the Rams playing it safe with their Pro Bowl running back.

Sean McVay said during his press conference that Gurley doesn’t necessarily have to practice this week in order to play Sunday, but that was hardly the most interesting thing the coach said. He added that Gurley’s current knee injury is similar to one he had after the Rams’ season opener against Oakland.

“It was a similar situation earlier in the year after we played Oakland, as well. He recovers really well. He kind of gets his body back, takes really good care of himself, but this is something that we want to be smart about,” McVay said.

The thing is, that injury wasn’t previously known, nor was he ever listed on the injury report with any sort of knee issue. Prior to the Rams’ Week 2 game against Arizona, Gurley popped up on Wednesday’s injury report but it was listed as “non-injury related.” He was a full participant by Thursday, so perhaps it was just a brief soreness that didn’t warrant him being listed on the report.

In that game against the Cardinals, Gurley had just 19 carries for 42 yards. McVay didn’t say whether the knee soreness affected him that week, but given the two-week recovery period for this injury, it’s possible that he wasn’t 100 percent.

While it’s somewhat concerning that he hasn’t practiced since Week 14, Gurley is making progress. McVay said the “swelling is gone” and Gurley’s knee is “just sore.”

The Rams will continue to take it “one day at a time” with Gurley and remain hopeful that he’ll be able to play on Sunday. If not, it’ll be C.J. Anderson stepping up once again.