Fisher says he was unaware of Keenum concussion until after game
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_dac36a61-393c-574c-854d-c4bd7c08e320.html
Rams coach Jeff Fisher was unaware that quarterback Case Keenum had experienced concussion symptoms until after Sunday’s 16-13 loss at Baltimore.
And had he known that Keenum was groggy after being dropped for a sack late in the fourth quarter, Fisher said, “Then Case would’ve been standing by me.”
Fisher said a glitch in the concussion protocol system resulted in Keenum remaining on the field for the Rams’ final two offensive plays of the game.
“I saw Case go down, but I didn’t see anything else that took place,” Fisher said Monday. “I didn’t see him struggle to get up. I didn’t see anything from my vantage point on the sideline as far as Case’s slow recovery. ... I was in the game management mode at that point, less than a minute left.”
On the play in question, the Rams faced a second-and-10 from their 41 with the score tied 13-13. Baltimore linebacker Elvis Dumervil jumped way offside, to the point where several players from both teams hesitated, anticipating that the play would be blown dead.
It wasn’t, and Baltimore defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan knifed through Rams blockers Tim Barnes and Cody Wichmann, dropping Keenum for a sack. Keenum released the ball as he was going down, but officials ruled that he was down. Had there not been a penalty, the play would’ve been ruled a sack.
While referee Tony Corrente’s crew was sorting through all this and enforcing the penalty, Keenum was slow getting up after the back of his head hit the turf at M&T Bank Stadium.
Keenum held his hands to the back of the his helmet for a couple of seconds, and then struggled momentarily when teammate Garrett Reynolds tried to help him up.
“So the officiating department didn’t see it,” Fisher said. “However, our head trainer (Reggie Scott) did go on the field, and he got out there and he spoke to Case. He questioned Case, and Case said he felt OK. And then our head trainer was instructed to leave the field by the officiating department.”
The other component to the issue involves the injury spotter in the press box — known as the ATC, which is short for athletic trainer certified. This is the first year that the injury spotter is allowed to intercede and call a medical timeout if he sees a player shaken up on the field.
But Fisher said the injury spotter didn’t call down immediately on Sunday after seeing Scott on the field checking out Keenum.
“His responsibility is to call down and notify the officiating department if he sees anything,” Fisher said. “Well, because he saw the head trainer on the field, he didn’t feel it was necessary to make the call. And then for whatever reason we went on with the two plays.”
After the penalty was marked off, Keenum threw incomplete to Wes Welker on the next play, and then on third down lost the football on a sack-fumble by Baltimore’s Courtney Upshaw with 54 seconds left. That turned out to be the Rams’ last offensive play of the game.
Baltimore carved out a first down on two runs by Javorius Allen, and then Justin Tucker kicked a game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired.
Fisher said the injury spotter did call down to check on Keenum after the lost fumble, or when the Rams defense had gone back on the field.
So what could’ve been done differently?
“I don’t know in this case,” Fisher said. “Because under the current system, if the trainer goes on the field, then there’s no need for the ATC to call down and tell the officiating department there’s a problem. ... So we’ve got some moving parts, and again, it’s a new system.”
In 2012, the NFL added the independent athletic trainer certified as spotters, stationing them in the press box level at all games. This season, those injury spotters were given the power to call for a medical timeout in communication with the referee if the spotter noticed a player who might need medical assistance.
In fact, the first medical timeout under the new system took place late in the third quarter of the Rams’ Sept. 27 home game against Pittsburgh. Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake looked a little disoriented after tackling Rams running back Tre Mason.
The spotter buzzed referee John Hussey, a medical timeout was called, Blake was taken off the field and examined for a possible concussion. Blake was cleared and returned to action later in the game.
In addition to the injury spotter, there is an independent — or “unaffiliated” — neuro-trauma consultant on the sideline at all NFL games working with team physicians as part of the league’s concussion policy.
In the case of what happened in Baltimore, Fisher said, “You cannot under these circumstances place blame on anybody.”
The league issued a statement early Monday afternoon on the situation, saying it began a review immediately after the contest to determine why Keenum was not removed from the game.
“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.”
ESPN subsequently reported that the NFL and the NFL Players Association will conduct a conference call with head athletic trainers from each NFL team Tuesday to discuss concussion protocol in the wake of the Keenum incident.
Fisher said Keenum felt good Monday morning and will go through the necessary examinations and tests this week.
“Fortunately, Case felt really good this morning,” Fisher said. “He’s got a chance to practice this week and obviously play this weekend. So that’s the good news. The bad news is that we had an issue, an issue with everybody involved. And we gotta get it straightened out.”
If Keenum passes the concussion protocol, Fisher said he would start Sunday in Cincinnati. If not, Nick Foles would return to the lineup.
