Todd Gurley

Tough Todd Gurley appears to be ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn ACL last November, head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the rookie running back likely won't see playing time in the preseason.

"We are going to take our time," Fisher told NFL Media's Andrew Siciliano.

"I don't have to see him in a preseason game to play him in a regular season game," Fisher said. "It's unlikely that you'll see him in a preseason game, because he's got some work to do."

However, at the same time, the club is impressed with how Gurley looks thus far in training camp.

Per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Gurley has already passed the timetable where Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson was when he was coming off his ACL surgery.

"The Rams love where Todd Gurley is at physically," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport said via NFL Network. "They just have to make sure when they put him out there, he's at no further risk."

Whether Gurley suits up in Week 1 is an unknown, but the early reports out of training camp indicates their first-round draft pick could be ready sooner rather than later.

Tre Mason could even start the season if the Rams don't want to rush Gurley, but the thought by many is Gurley eventually takes over the lead back role with Mason more of a third down option. When that transition takes place or how long it takes is the big question, so drafting Mason is a bit of a risk - at least outside of PPR leagues. The real upside is with Gurley, but owners may have to stash him on their bench until his role is secure.