NFL won't penalize in Case Keenum concussion case but weighs future options

No one will face discipline for the failures that left St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum in a game with obvious concussion symptoms last weekend. But the league and its players union will consider discipline for future violations of protocols.

A mandatory conference call was held Tuesday night with head athletic trainers of all 32 teams, many team physicians and NFL Players Association medical director Dr. Thom Mayer, league spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an emailed statement.

“The call was led by NFL Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Betsy Nabel, Head, Neck & Spine Committee Co-Chairman Dr. Hunt Batjer, NFL Physicians Society President Dr. Robert Heyer of the Carolina Panthers, and PFATS President Rick Burkholder of the Kansas City Chiefs,” the statement said.

“During the call, the team medical staffs discussed the events that led to the failure to remove St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum from Sunday's game, and reviewed the proper implementation of the league's concussion protocols to ensure that players are removed from the field for a medical evaluation as required by the protocols.

“Medical experts from the league and the Players Association will continue to review the protocols and make improvements as necessary to protect the health and safety of NFL players, including consideration of discipline for future violations of the protocols.”

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Bell: Widespread blame for bungling concussion of Rams' Case Keenum

An NFLPA spokesman did not immediately respond to a message.

Keenum was injured on a sack late in the Rams’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. His head bounced off the turf, he fell to the ground as a teammate tried to help him up and the Rams’ head athletic trainer, Reggie Scott, spoke to him on the field before play resumed.

Because Keenum received medical attention, the ATC spotter in the booth didn’t call for an injury timeout to have him examined. Two plays later, Keenum took another sack, fumbled and gave the ball to the Ravens, who ended up kicking a winning field goal.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he didn’t know until after the game Keenum was being examined for a concussion.

Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero.