QB Case Keenum on track to start against Cincinnati

With much being made of the situation the St. Louis Rams, and Case Keenum, found themselves in after Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the news that Keenum is progressing is good. The situation were talking about is the last series of the game were Keenum was hit and struck his head agains the turf very hard. It was obvious Keenum was injured at the completion of the play after the struggled to stand. The controversy, still being sorted out, was created when Keenum stayed in the game.

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The very next play resulted in Keenum conceding a strip sack and a turnover that would allow Baltimore to move into field goal range for the game winning kick. With the new protocol in place to allow an independent neurologist to call timeouts to examine injured players it was concerning when no such call was made. In fact, on television, it seemed the Rams’ training staff had only just a minute or two to examine Keenum before leaving the field. Head coach Jeff Fisher noted this week that the officials forced his trainers off the field and did not allow them proper time to diagnose Keenum.

Nov 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; aSt. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) passes during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated St. Louis Rams 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

After all was said and done, Keenum was diagnosed with a concussion and is now working his way through the leagues concussion protocol. Keenum was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice because of the protocol, but Fisher seems to think he is progressing well enough to play on Sunday.

"“He’s doing well,” Fisher said. “He’s still in the protocol, so we couldn’t completely release him to full practice. But, he got under center. He split the reps with Nick (Foles) and he felt pretty good. We’ll know better on Friday. Hopefully, he’ll be released and he’ll be able to play.”(Nick Wagoner, ESPN)"

Keenum was less than spectacular in his season debut against the Ravens. Keenum completed just 12 passes for 136-yards and one touchdown. However, he was charged with three fumbles, losing two. Fisher was hoping Keenum would provide a bit of a spark in an offense that has struggled to produce all season long.

St. Louis was also missing some key players on the defensive side of the ball as well. The return of defensive end Chris Long was encouraging. Long suffered a knee injury in Week 5 during the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, fellow defensive end Robert Quinn was noticeably absent.

Quinn (hip/back), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (thigh), offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein(calf) were all listed as non-participants in Wednesday’s practice report. Keenum was listed as limited.

The Rams will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will return to practice on Friday.