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Rams John Kelly Jersey , Calif. (AP) Kellen Clemens has learned plenty about preparing and not playing. After all, he has been the backup to Brett Favre and
Philip Rivers, two of the most durable quarterbacks in NFL history.
That’s why Clemens believes he could step in smoothly for his first significant NFL action in nearly four years if Rivers doesn’t start for the Los
Angeles Chargers on Sunday for the first time since 2005.
Clemens and the Chargers are increasingly confident they won’t have to find out, however.
Article continues below ... Rivers practiced with the Chargers on Wednesday while progressing through the league’s concussion protocol, and coach Anthony Lynn is optimistic that the
veteran quarterback will play at home against the Buffalo Bills.
”I just let the doctors handle that, and Philip will be brutally honest with us,” Lynn said. ”I told him, `Be honest with us about this injury,’ and he has
been so far. That’s all we can go by.”
Rivers has started 194 consecutive games for the Chargers since the 2006 season opener
Ravens Robert Griffin III Jersey , racking up the fourth-longest streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history. Favre holds the longest
streak at a jaw-dropping 321 games between 1992 and 2010.
But Rivers was hurt at some point during an overtime loss in Jacksonville last weekend, and he reported the symptoms to the team on Monday before entering
the concussion protocol.
Rivers participated in certain parts of a non-padded practice Wednesday, and Lynn plans to increase his workload during the week if he feels good. The
Chargers will continue to monitor his health until Sunday morning, but early
signs are encouraging.
If Rivers can’t play, Clemens is expected to make his first NFL start since 2013 with the St. Louis Rams. Clemens must practice all week without knowing
whether he’ll be responsible for every snap or none against the Bills.
”That’s every week for the majority of my career,” he said with a smile. ”I’m used to it. … Everybody hopes that Philip is going to be out there and ready to
go. But if called upon, I’ll be ready to go.”
Clemens has thrown only 10 passes in the past 3+ years while serving as Rivers’ backup in San Diego and LA, but the veteran has done enough in practice
to be confident – and for the Chargers to be confident in him.
”Kellen is very involved with the game plan part of it,” Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said.
”He’s been in the system for a number of years
Cheap Billy Price Jersey , so he’s comfortable with it. You don’t want to make him try to do too much. Maybe you cut it down a little. But from all the
guys I’ve been around, especially in that role, Kellen is one of the sharpest as
far as understanding what you need done and communicating that to the
players.
”Executing it in a game is something he hasn’t done a lot of in the last couple of years, but he’s a pro, and I’m sure he’ll be prepared.”
Clemens is in his 12th NFL season with his fifth franchise. He began his career with the New York Jets, backing up Chad Pennington, Favre and Mark
Sanchez while getting sporadic playing time, including eight starts in 2007.
Clemens started nine games for the Rams and passed for a career-high 1,673 yards in 2013 after Sam Bradford was injured. He has barely seen the field on
Sundays since he signed with the Chargers in 2014
Broncos Bradley Chubb Jersey , but the 34-year-old Oregon product has taken an increasingly large role in game-week preparation and game-planning.
”Your first couple years in the league it’s, `Hey, rookie, sit over there and shut up and just watch,”’ Clemens said. ”But as you get older, you gain some
respect. It’s something that coaches are a little more open to. I’ve been
fortunate with Coach Whiz and (quarterbacks coach) Shane (Steichen) as well as
Philip. If I have an idea, then they listen. It doesn’t always make it in the
game plan, but at least they listen.”
Clemens and Rivers are friends, and Clemens credits the 10th-leading passer in NFL history for his openness to collaboration.
”He’s an open book
Cheap Nate Solder Jersey ,” Clemens said. ”A lot of guys aren’t, and they don’t have to be. But he’s an open book. If I have a question, he takes the time
to answer it. If I don’t understand it, he explains it a different way. It’s a
relationship I’m very grateful for, and I’ve benefited from in ways that haven’t
been seen yet.”
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