Nelson Spruce scores 2 TDs in XFL with Todd Gurley in attendance

Nelson Spruce showed off with his friend Todd Gurley watching.

Nelson Spruce was a fan favorite when he was with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016. He shined in training camp with the world watching on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” coming up big in the preseason opener against the Cowboys, too.

He never appeared in a regular-season game in the NFL due to knee and calf injuries suffered as a rookie, followed by his release in 2017, but Spruce is a name just about every Rams fan recognizes.

He was in the news this weekend as a standout for the Los Angeles Wildcats in the XFL. Though the Wildcats lost, Spruce caught two touchdown passes, doing so with Todd Gurley watching from the sidelines.

Gurley called Spruce his “little brother,” which Spruce was quick to correct.

“I’m older than Todd,” Spruce said.

“You are?” Gurley asked. “He’s still my little brother.”

Spruce said he “taught Todd how to catch back in the day,” which Gurley agreed with.

“He did. He actually did. That’s why I became the player I became and a great teammate, being with this guy. Super proud of him.”

This was Spruce’s second touchdown of the game, which cut the Renegades’ lead to just one point.

Spruce finished the game with six catches for 89 yards to go along with those two touchdowns, with his longest reception going for 44 yards. It’s the second straight week he’s shined for L.A.’s XFL team, becoming the first player in league history to record 100 yards receiving in a game.

Here’s his highlight reel from the Wildcats’ 25-18 loss on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Gurley was at the game specifically to watch Spruce and Lance Dunbar, who also played for the Rams in 2017. He was excited to see both guys on the field again, saying they’re “two of my great friends.”

“Gotta get my boy Lance rolling, but he’s probably going to lead the league in touchdowns after Spruce,” Gurley said.

This stint in the XFL could help Spruce land another opportunity in the NFL. In addition to his time with the Rams, Spruce was also on the Bears’ practice squad in 2017 and was signed and waived by the Chiefs and Chargers before the 2018 season.