The St. Louis Rams will not face any kind of penalties for their handling of quarterback Case Keenum after he suffered a head injury late in last week's game, according to Adam Schefter. Keenum was allowed to continue to play in a Week 11 game after he was clearly concussed during the final two minutes of play in a 16-13 loss to the Ravens.
The NFL will not punish the Rams after mishandling Case Keenum’s concussion in Week 11
Case Keenum was allowed to play last week despite an obvious head injury. The NFL apparently doesn’t feel like it was enough to justify a penalty of any kind.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Keenum, 27, was thrown down by Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan and struggled to get back to his feet after clutching his head immediately after it bounced off the turf. There are certified athletic trainers in the booth that have the ability to tell game officials to remove a player to be evaluated for concussion symptoms, but Keenum also spoke to a team trainer immediately after the play.
He stayed in the game, and two plays later a clearly dazed Keenum fumbled the ball on a sack. The Ravens recovered, and kicked a game-winning field goal on the ensuing drive.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for Keenum being allowed to finish the game, but the NFL apparently saw the loopholes in the process that somehow the quarterback managed to slip through after the injury.
On the Monday after the game, the NFL issued a statement regarding the situation:
“Promptly after the conclusion of yesterday’s game, we began a review to determine the facts of the injury to St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum and why he was not removed from the game for the necessary evaluation by a team physician or the unaffiliated neuro-trauma consultant as required by our concussion protocols. We are continuing that review today, which includes discussions with the Rams and their medical staff, the ATC spotter, the game officials, our medical advisors and the NFLPA. In the meantime, prior to this week’s games, we will reinforce with all involved the need to ensure that these injuries are properly identified and addressed in a manner consistent with our protocols.”
The NFL held a conference call with the Rams and others last week to review the concussion protocol for injuries that happen during games. That’s apparently the extent of the league’s involvement on this matter.
The NFL Players Association also announced it would further investigate the failings of the concussion protocol that allowed Keenum to continue.
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