Rams to ease Jared Goff in, make him inactive for opener

— -- Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick who is expected to someday be the face of the Los Angeles Rams, will be inactive for the regular-season opener, coach Jeff Fisher announced during a charity luncheon on Tuesday.

Fisher told NFL Network that punter Johnny Hekker will be the team's emergency backup, with teams hardly ever keeping three quarterbacks active due to the increased need for special-teams availability.

Case Keenum has maintained his place as the Rams' starter throughout the preseason, and Fisher said after Thursday's preseason finale in Minnesota that Sean Mannion, a third-round draft pick in 2015, is currently the backup.

Goff finished the preseason completing only 22-of-49 passes for 232 yards, with two touchdowns, two interceptions, two fumbles and four sacks.

His situation is the complete opposite of the man taken one spot after him, Carson Wentz, whose performance prompted the Philadelphia Eagles to trade their starter -- former Ram Sam Bradford -- and elevate Wentz into the starting role. Fisher said Goff and Mannion could potentially switch for the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.

"I just want him to feel and sense and absorb the pressures of Week 1," Fisher told NFL Network, regarding Goff. "He's going to be a great player. As we've said from Day 1, we're not rushing him. We don't have to rush it. I'm really happy with where he is right now. It's unfair to compare him to anybody else. I know Philly has got their situation; it's a little different. ... Jared is in a good place right now. He's done some really good things, so I'm really pleased with his progress."