Fear not Rams fans! Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff has cleared the concussion protocol and will be starting on Christmas Eve against the San Francisco 49ers, Rams interim head coach John Fassel confirmed today. He also confirmed that second year pro Sean Mannion would be the backup QB.
Jared Goff cleared concussion protocol and will start on Saturday, Rams interim coach John Fassel said. Sean Mannion will be the backup.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 22, 2016
While the relief for Goff clearing the concussion protocol is nice, the news that Mannion is legitimately the backup QB. Sure, he dressed Week 1 against the 49ers, but there was no question that Case Keenum was the starter and the Goff would be the backup moving forward.
It’s another example of Fassel’s differing management of the team than former head coach Jeff Fisher. One of Fassel’s first moves as head coach was to promote Troy Hill back to the active roster. Following his DUI, Hill was demoted to the practice squad (in addition to being placed in Jeff Fisher’s dog house).
With any luck, we won’t be seeing Mannion on Saturday, but both tidbits of info are encouraging signs for Rams fans.