C.J. Anderson shows he was born ready in big fill-in role for Rams

The expectations were modest, to say the least.

After all, how much impact could running back C.J. Anderson realistically have on the Los Angeles Rams with a mere five days to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals?

‘I think the secret for the yards was the big boys’

As it turned out, plenty. Filling in for injured Todd Gurley, Anderson carried 20 times for 167 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ 31-9 victory. The second-biggest surprise after his production on such short notice was the fact the former Denver Broncos Pro Bowler was available to sign for under $100,000 with the playoffs barely two weeks away.

“I think the secret for the yards was the big boys,” Anderson told Zig Fracassi on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “All I had to do was the best I can to pick up the playbook this weekend. The good thing was a lot of crossover from what I’ve done in Denver in the past, coming in at 5:30 in the morning and having certain teammates and certain coaches tell me (what to do), that’s amazing, too.”

‘It feels good to come in and do what I can as a starter in this league’

Anderson understands his job is giving the Rams an answer at running back while Gurley is out with a knee injury.

“Just trying to do I can do my part,” Anderson  said. “Obviously, 30 is really special. He’s an All-Pro back. But it feels good to come in and do what I can as a starter in his league, as a Pro Bowl back in this league and it’s good to have just that insurance for Todd to trust me enough to where he doesn’t have push himself.

‘Whatever I need to do to help this team win, I’m all in’

“Whatever they need me to do, whether that’s carrying a football or helping with conversations about protections or using my eyes in the run game. Whatever I need to do to help this team win, I’m all in.”