NFL teams
John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Coach: Planning to start RG III

NFL, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings

ASHBURN, Va., -- Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said quarterback Robert Griffin III will start Sunday, barring any setbacks. But before Gruden fully committed to the QB's return, he said he wanted to see Griffin in action another day.

Griffin hasn't played since Week 2 because of a dislocated left ankle. But Gruden said as long as he doesn't re-injure the ankle in practice and makes the same level of progress he's made to this point, he will open against Minnesota on Sunday.

Gruden said it would take Griffin re-injuring his ankle or telling him he's not yet comfortable in order for him not to play.

"We have every intent of him starting," Gruden said. "Everybody's on board as far from a physical standpoint. Last week he was running around like a banshee. He's healthier than most of the guys we have playing. From a physical standpoint he's ready, but for a young quarterback who missed this much time in a new system, the big thing is getting back from a mental standpoint."

Griffin started taking first-team reps Wednesday, splitting time with Colt McCoy, and increased his workload Thursday.

The 3-5 Redskins have won two consecutive games, with McCoy leading a comeback against Tennessee and then a dramatic overtime win at Dallas. McCoy put up impressive numbers in those two games, completing a combined 36-of-42 passes for one touchdown and one interception.

"We feel Robert gives us the best chance to win, that's the bottom line," Gruden said. "If all three are healthy, who gives us the best chance to win, and we made the decision in training camp that it was Robert, and he deserves a chance to prove us right."

The Redskins have a bye next week, but Gruden said they don't want to wait just to give Griffin another week. Besides, he said, they only practice once during the bye and then have five days off, per the collective bargaining agreement.

"There are no cons to playing him now if he's healthy, which we think he is," Gruden said. "Physically, we think he's ready, and we want to make sure he's comfortable in the pocket with all the throws and all the reads, the plays we've added, some new concepts we've added. ...There's no benefit to if he's healthy to sitting him and waiting for the bye. It's not like his leg will get stronger. His leg is fine, so what the heck."

Gruden said after his press conference that Griffin was closer than people realize to returning a week ago, but he had enough doubts that they wanted to wait another week. They wanted to be 100 percent certain that he had fully recovered, keeping in mind, too, his injury history.

But if Griffin plays, then Gruden said he will be able to run the entire offense.

"If there was any hesitation as far as that's concerned, I wouldn't be thinking about playing him," Gruden said. "That's part of my decision. He has to be 100 percent, and by 100 percent I mean be able to do everything -- run all the plays, the boots, whatever he has to do, the quarterback draws. That's what makes Robert, Robert. When he's cleared to do everything, you can't hold him back because of past injuries. He has to play the position the way he has to play it."

That's what Griffin's teammates are expecting.

"He's a playmaker," Redskins left tackle Trent Williams said. "Obviously his athleticism brings a different dynamic to the position. Of course we're happy to have him back."

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