Chargers QB Phillip Rivers clears concussion protocol, will play against Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills won’t get the benefit of playing Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Kellen Clemens this week. Starter Phillip Rivers has been cleared by an independent doctor and has officially been cleared following his short stint in the concussion protocol this week.

Rivers self-reported symptoms on Monday following the Chargers loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It wasn’t 100% obvious when the injury took place but the speculation has centered around a tackle he made late in the game after throwing an interception, adding insult to injury.

It’s important for the Chargers offense to have Rivers back. Heading into Week 10, he had the fifth-most pass attempts in the league and is in the top ten for yards and touchdown passes.

An ironman among NFL quarterbacks, Rivers has started 185 consecutive games, second only to Eli Manning. On the other side of the field, rookie Natahan Peterman will be making his first NFL start in a stark juxtaposition of experience.