Rams' Todd Gurley aiming to return for training camp after torn ACL

Todd Gurley's ACL tear didn't deter the St. Louis Rams from selecting the running back 10th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the 20-year-old is aiming to return to the field for next month's training camp.

Gurley was a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy before suffering the injury that derailed his junior season at Georgia in November.

Instantly the face of a nondescript offense, Gurley is hoping to make an impact as soon as possible.

"That is definitely a goal that I'm shooting for," Gurley told NFL Media's Tiffany Blackmon (via Kevin Patra) about a July return date. "Just to be able to get out there and do at least some individual stuff. It's looking pretty realistic. This month I'll be in St. Louis rehabbing, so hopefully I can aim for (training camp)."

Though Tre Mason remains part of the equation, Gurley will likely become the team's feature back. The Rams' rookie spoke about the process of absorbing a brand-new offense.

"It's been going pretty good," Gurley said. "When we first came in with the rookies for minicamp, you get the install those three days and then OTAs came around, it kind of slows (the offense) down a little bit because you get to have more practices and a lot more meetings. So it's been coming along pretty good so far."

Gurley was the highest-selected running back since Trent Richardson went third overall in 2012, and he'll be expected to pay dividends immediately. A return to training camp will accelerate his learning curve and represent a minor victory for the Rams as they attempt to ascend from the NFC West basement.