NFL investigates the handling of Rams QB Case Keenum’s head injury

The NFL is investigating whether correct concussion protocol was followed for St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum late in Sunday’s loss at Baltimore.

A league spokesman said Monday that a review was begun after the game “to determine the facts of the injury . . . and why [Keenum] 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.” The review included discussions with the Rams and their medical staff, the ATC spotter, game officials, NFL medical advisers, and the players’ union.

The back of Keenum’s helmet slammed to the ground with a little more than a minute left in the fourth quarter against the Ravens. His hands immediately went toward his head, he had a tough time trying to get up and appeared staggered, yet stayed in the game. On the next play, Keenum threw an incompletion. And on the play after that, he fumbled. The Ravens recovered and were therefore able to kick a tiebreaking field goal for a 16-13 victory.

The league said it plans to reinforce the procedures for this week, with three games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.

Manning out again

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning flew to Charlotte, N.C., to meet with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson for a second opinion about the torn plantar fascia in his left foot, and Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak told the team Brock Osweiler would start again next weekend against New England. Kubiak said Manning’s trip does not mean he had a setback in his rehab or indicate he faces increased odds of a season-ending surgery.

Lynch probably out

Uncertainty surrounding the health of Marshawn Lynch probably means rookie running back Thomas Rawls will start for a second straight week for Seattle. Coach Pete Carroll said it’s unlikely Lynch would to play this week against Pittsburgh, and that he is unsure when Lynch will be able to play again as he deals with an abdominal injury that kept him out of Sunday’s win over San Francisco. Lynch was scheduled to meet with Dr. William Meyers on Tuesday in Philadelphia to discuss options.

Manziel video

Cleveland quarterback Johnny Manziel, who promised last week that he wouldn’t embarrass the organization during the team’s bye week, spent time partying in Texas and then hanging out at Saturday’s Ohio State-Michigan State game in Columbus, Ohio. A video surfaced Monday of Manziel holding a bottle of champagne and signing rap lyrics in a DJ’s booth at a club in Austin, Texas. While he did nothing illegal, the sight of him out on the town must be disconcerting to the Browns and Coach Mike Pettine, who named the former first-round pick as the starter for the final six games.

Also Monday, the NFL cleared Manziel of any wrongdoing following an investigation into a recent domestic incident.

Hoyer to return

Quarterback Brian Hoyer completed the concussion protocol and will start Sunday for Houston against New Orleans. Hoyer was injured early in the third quarter Nov. 16 against Cincinnati and sat out Sunday against the New York Jets. T.J. Yates led the Texans to two victories, giving them their first three-game win streak since 2012.

Jets waive Coples

The Jets waived outside linebacker Quinton Coples, cutting ties with the team’s first-round draft pick in 2012. The move was a surprise despite Coples’ diminished role in Coach Todd Bowles’ defense. Coples played only five snaps on defense in the 24-17 loss to Houston after playing just seven against Buffalo in the previous game.

Etc.

The Jets could be without two key players this week against Miami — cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is dealing with a concussion, and center Nick Mangold, who needed six or seven stitches to close a deep cut on his right hand. . . . Bowles also said he was sticking with struggling Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback despite the Jets’ losing four of their last five games after a 4-1 start. . . . Chicago waived quarterback Jimmy Clausen and elevated David Fales from the practice squad to back up Jay Cutler. Clausen, from Westlake Village Oaks Christian High, made two starts and appeared in six games over the past two seasons; Coach John Fox said he was waived because other teams were showing interest in Fales. . . . Indianapolis listed left tackle Anthony Castonzo as week to week because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.