Oct 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) pushes away Green Bay Packers linebacker Nate Palmer (51) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Todd Gurley ran for a season-high 159 yards at Green Bay in Week 5. Benny Sieu USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley and punter Johnny Hekker each received monthly honors from the NFL on Thursday.
Gurley was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month following a stirring three-game stretch in which he amassed 433 yards that included a 146-yard performance versus Arizona, a 159-yard effort at Green Bay and a 128-yard, two-touchdown outing in last week's win over Cleveland.
The No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft, Gurley became the third rookie in league history to rush for at least 125 yards in each of his first three starts. He's the first rookie running back to win the monthly award since Eddie Lacy of the Packers in 2013.
Hekker is the second punter in franchise history to claim the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month award after averaging 48.3 yards on 16 kicks in October. Hekker helped the Rams win the field-position battle by dropping three punts inside the 20-yard line in Sunday's victory over the Browns.
A former high school quarterback, Hekker also completed a 20-yard pass on a fake punt in Week 5. That pushed his career passer rating to a near-perfect 155.7 on 6-of-8 for 99 yards and a touchdown.
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