Chargers’ Philip Rivers in concussion protocol

Despite hardly being hit last Sunday, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is in the league’s concussion protocol.

During the offseason, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said he has never been diagnosed with a concussion in his NFL career. Now in the middle of his 12th season as a starter, that’s no longer the case as Rivers is reportedly in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Rivers was not sacked by the Jaguars’ defense during last Sunday’s game, but they were credited with five hits on him. He self-reported concussion symptoms upon arriving at the Chargers’ facility on Monday, much to the surprise of head coach Anthony Lynn.

"“Phil came in today and self-reported concussion symptoms,” Lynn said, per the team’s official website. “He’s seeing our doctors and being evaluated. He’s now in the concussion protocol, and we’ll evaluate him for the rest of the week.”"

Rivers has made 194 consecutive starts for the Chargers, including nine in the playoffs, so that streak is now obviously in jeopardy. If he is unable to play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, Kellen Clemens would get the start.

Clemens has attempted 10 passes as Rivers’ backup over the last four seasons. He has 21 NFL starts on his resume, including nine for the St. Louis Rams in 2013 in his most recent substantive action. Lingering as No. 3 on the depth chart is Cardale Jones, the national championship-winning former Ohio State quarterback who was acquired in a trade from the Bills during the offseason.

Exactly when Rivers was injured against Jacksonville is unclear, but a couple of options have been offered.

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Either or some combination of both of those plays could have caused a concussion for Rivers, even if he apparently didn’t have clear symptoms until the next day. No alarms went off for anyone on the field Sunday though, and Rivers was never checked for a concussion.