The Rams really must be angry with Nick Foles.
The St. Louis quarterback immediately began warming up in the final moments of the Rams' loss to the Ravens on Sunday after Case Keenum, who took Foles' spot in the starting lineup, struggled to get to his feet following a hit from Ravens defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan in which the back of Keenum's head slammed against the turf.
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Keenum immediately put his hands on his helmet and a Rams offensive lineman's initial attempt to help up his quarterback resulted in Keenum crumbling back down to the turf.
But Keenum stayed in the game, fumbling two plays later that led to Baltimore's game-winning field goal in their 16-13 victory. After the game, Keenum was diagnosed with a concussion, USA Today Sports reported.
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It seemed as if the Rams and NFL officials completely forgot or didn't care about the league's protocol on head injuries.
The NFL on Monday announced it was investigating why Keenum stayed on the field after its protocol for checking on players with possible concussions was not followed.
"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," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email, USA Today Sports reported. "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."
In 2013, the league instituted a policy to get players suspected of head injuries out of the game. A certified athletic trainer (the ATC spotter) sits in a stadium box and looks for players with potential head injuries. That trainer is supposed to signal to the team's medical staff to examine the player.
That obviously didn't happen because video clearly shows that Keenum was shaken up after the play and grabbed his head. Or else, the Rams ignored the ATC spotter. They knew Keenum was hurt because Foles started warming up, but the St. Louis medical staff did not force Keenum out of the game. Keenum was even seen talking to a coach after the play.
It's evident both the Rams and the spotter dropped the ball on Keenum's well-being. It's another black eye for St. Louis after cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was accused of delivering a cheap shot on the Vikings' sliding Teddy Bridgewater on Nov. 8.
With domestic violence being the league's current focus, concussions may have slipped off the NFL's radar. The league better come down hard on the Rams medical staff and the spotter, or else it will appear that the issue of concussions has disappeared completely.
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