The death of former Bears running back Rashaan Salaam has been ruled a suicide, according to a release Thursday from the Boulder County Coroner in Colorado. Per the report, Salaam's Dec. 5 death came as a result of a gunshot to the head at Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder.

His family did not allow the coroner's office to perform tests that would have revealed whether he suffered chronic head trauma from playing the game.

Salaam was the Bears' first-round draft pick in 1995, selected 21st overall after winning the Heisman Trophy his junior season at the University of Colorado. In his first season with the Bears, he rushed for 1,074 yards — then a franchise rookie record — and scored 10 touchdowns, earning NFC rookie of the year honors.

But after multiple injuries and struggles on the field, he lasted only three seasons with the Bears and struggled to revive his career elsewhere.

Salaam's death at the age of 42 stunned and saddened many of his former teammates and coaches with the Bears.

“There was a light that he had,” former Bears running back Robert Green said. “He was very self-confident and had that spirit. And even though he was a young pup, he was very grounded. And he loved to laugh. He had that big, infectious smile that just drew you in. I'm going to try to keep that close to my heart in remembering him.”

Griffin likely to start: Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III was cleared from concussion protocol and will likely start Sunday at Pittsburgh in the season finale.

Griffin was checked by an independent neurologist — the last step in the NFL's procedure on head injuries — and will practice as the Browns (1-14) prepare to face a Steelers team that has locked up a playoff spot and will rest starters, including stars Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

RG3 sustained his concussion in the fourth quarter last week against San Diego and was replaced by rookie Cody Kessler, who finished the Browns' 20-17 win.

Griffin has made three straight starts after missing 11 weeks with a broken left shoulder sustained in the season opener on Sept. 11.

“We have seen him get better from the first opportunity to the second to the third,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, he can keep making jumps as you go because that says a lot to me.”

Extra points: With the Cowboys having clinched the top seed in the NFC, veteran QB Mark Sanchez will see playing time in place of Dak Prescott in the regular-season finale against the Eagles. . ... Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill (knee) returned to the practice field and threw passes on the side, but he's not taking part in team drills yet. He has been sidelined since Week 14 with a strained MCL and ACL and won't play this week, but there's a chance he'll return in the postseason.