With only one preseason game remaining for the Los Angeles Rams, there are plenty of questions surrounding top overall pick Jared Goff.
Teams barely play their starters and main players in the preseason finale, if they see the field at all. But with veteran Case Keenum looking set to start next week’s season opener, some are wondering if Goff will indeed see some time against the Vikings on Thursday.
Head coach Jeff Fisher spoke after practice on Tuesday and said that there is a 50-50 chance that Goff will start the final preseason game via TheRams.com:
“Nevertheless, Fisher said there’s a “50/50” chance quarterback Jared Goff starts the contest, and we’ll, “have to wait and see” if he does.
Should Goff start, it would likely mean quarterback Case Keenum — who remains in line to start Week 1 — has the night off. And Sean Mannion would handle the remaining snaps.”
Goff has been dealing with a bruised tailbone, but that isn’t setting him back at all. Goff said that he would welcome being able to start as that is something he is more used to:
“If that’s the case, then it’d be great,” Goff said. “It’d be something I’m more used to — in kind of getting out there and going in right away, as opposed to trying to warm up again on the sidelines. But whatever it is, I’ll be ready.”
It is definitely important for Goff to get reps in, but there is always the risk of injury that has to be kept in mind. The Rams can ill-afford their top pick to go down with a serious injury, even if he isn’t slated to start the season at the top of the depth chart.
Their opponent on Thursday knows this extremely well as their starting QB Teddy Bridgewater recently went down with a season-ending injury. Additionally, Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo went down after only three snaps in his first preseason action.
Fisher will have an interesting decision to make as there are pros and cons on each side.
