LINCOLN, Neb. -- Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch, who quit the St. Louis Rams three weeks ago, said Thursday he would consider returning to professional football if he can play quarterback.

The Rams drafted the former Nebraska quarterback last spring as a wide receiver.

"If I play again I'd definitely say it would be as a quarterback,'' Crouch said. "My whole life I've been a quarterback. I've molded myself that way.

"My best football is when the ball's in my hands and I have some control over what happens.''

Crouch left the Rams after playing in only one preseason game and seeing no regular-season action. Crouch said his decision was based primarily on lingering injuries, not because he was turned into a wide receiver.

Crouch, 23, said he has a serious thigh bruise and other nagging problems, including wear and tear on an ankle that will require surgery next week.

"I need to get away from it a little bit to get my health back,'' he said. "It's going to be a goal of mine to get back in shape.''

Crouch was the starting quarterback for three years at Nebraska. He said his body didn't respond well to practicing a new position in the NFL.

"The way I was playing wasn't up to the standard I thought I could play,'' he said. "It was just too hard to continue the way I was feeling.''

Crouch said he has no timeline for a return to professional football, but he said it will only be after he is healthy.

He said the odds of a return are 50-50.

And if he never played again?

"I'd be OK with that,'' Crouch said.

Crouch, drafted in the third round in April, quit the sport only nine months after playing in his last college game. The Cornhuskers lost that game against Miami in the Rose Bowl for the national championship 37-14.

The Huskers have struggled since Crouch left, falling to 3-2 and dropping out of the Top 25 for the first time since 1981. The team practiced on the field at Memorial Stadium as Crouch answered questions from reporters for more than 30 minutes.

The Rams took Crouch because of the potential they saw in him as a receiver and possibly a kick returner. Crouch's blazing speed led to 59 touchdowns rushing -- an NCAA record for a quarterback -- and 3,434 yards rushing, behind only Nebraska I-backs Mike Rozier and Ahman Green. Rozier also won the Heisman.

The Rams retain rights to Crouch if he chooses to return.