I'd be the first to tell you this is a guess
But with the hardest yardage, and toughest ground between the tackles: I'd have leaned on CJ Anderson, too.
There might have been a glitch in Todd's push off. Not noticeable, but the trainers know. Ted Rath knows. Kromer is aware.
And with that hurting joint, comes a lack of focus. Perhaps there was another miscue, but I didn't see it.
Short pass to Todd. Ball on target. Perhaps a bit behind and tad high. Twitch move to come back to your left, and quick hitch the ball out of the air; Instead the ball glances through Todd's hands.
Now your defense goes out and makes a magnificent stop, and holds them to 3 points, But 2 things happen
1) you need to run the ball enough to sell play action again, and your down on the scoreboard.
2) need to save your defense from having to make another stop at your end of field.
Do you really send a slightly deficient Gurley back out there, and risk a larger focus issue; Say a fumble, and have to look at your DC and his defense, and make that apology?
What I do feel is that they went with their collective knowledge and did the prudent thing. Get the "Fat Back" out there. Let him take the brunt of the hits while we get back on track. Situation meets fact.
I expect Todd to be back on his game, and another two weeks of less contact, and reps? I am drinking the McVay KoolAid
Gurley will have a big impact in the Super Bowl.
