Rams' Jared Goff Fit to Play after Concussion Scare

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff has cleared the concussion protocol and will start Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, interim coach John Fassel said Thursday.

Goff was injured in last Thursday's 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks when he was tackled by cornerback Richard Sherman.

"If I had seen him, I probably would have gone out of bounds," Goff said after Thursday's practice at California Lutheran University.

"He came out of nowhere and he got me. He hit me in the head, but I was fine. It was just a regular hit. I got up, went back to the huddle.

I heard the official blow the whistle and they're like, `You have to get off the field,' with the official citing the NFL's concussion protocol.

Under the protocol, Goff said he had to take a test" and "go see a doctor."

"It all was fairly painless and quick," Goff said. "I passed everything and I'm good to go."

Goff said he was "was probably a little beat up Friday, but Saturday, I felt good."

Sean Mannion will be the backup quarterback, Fassel said. He has not been in uniform since the Rams 28-0 loss to San Francisco in the season opener Sept. 12. The second-year pro out of Oregon State last played in the Rams final preseason game on Sept. 1.

Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner missed the practice because of an ankle injury. Joyner has started nine of the Rams 14 games, including each of the last five.

Starting safety Maurice Alexander had limited participation in Thursday's practice after missing Wednesday's practice.

Alexander suffered a concussion when making a tackle in the 42-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons Dec. 11 and missed the Seattle game.

Reserve receivers Bradley Marquez (knee) and Michael Thomas (hip) both practiced on a limited basis. A player is considered to have practiced on a limited basis when he participates in less than 100 percent of his normal repetitions.

City News Service; Photo: Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons