Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 39

Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has spent the offseason working with the first-string offense while Robert Griffin III recovers from knee surgery. But Cousins thinks the chances are slim to none that he’ll be with the first-string offense when the season starts.

Cousins said Griffin has made significant progress in his recovery, and Cousins can’t imagine that Griffin won’t be ready to play when the Redskins open the season against the Eagles on September 9.

“Robert looked awesome, and I’m not just saying that,” he said on NFL AM. “He is a bit of a freak in terms of his athleticism, he has healed very quickly, he couldn’t practice with us, but he was on a separate field doing drills all spring during OTAs and minicamp. He looked really good. I think he’ll be on the field Week One. But my mindset is to be ready no matter what, and I’m getting ready all summer so I’ll be ready if called upon.”

It appears to be all systems go for Griffin to play in Week 1. Now the only worry is that he's going to alter the way he plays (i.e. fewer runs) to protect his body. While it's not a bad idea (at all), fewer runs will likely result in fewer fantasy points.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins (illness, probable) took full practice reps again Friday and is probable for Week 18.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis this week, according to coach Mike Shanahan, who gave no indication Monday whether he expects Griffin to return to the lineup for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.

Shanahan would not say whether he expects Griffin to practice fully Wednesday.

Griffin was limited in practices last week and was held out of Sunday’s win at Cleveland because of a mild sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, according to the story. Kirk Cousins started in Griffin’s place and threw for two touchdowns to extend the Redskins’ winning streak to five games. Cousins could be a decent option, likely in the QB2 ranks, this week against the Eagles.

At team meeting minutes ago, Redskins players were informed QB Kirk Cousins will start at Cleveland, according to text from person in room.

Robert Griffin III (knee) will apparently miss the game. This is a downgrade for the entire passing game, though Alfred Morris could see a few extra carries with Cousins under center.

Albert Breer of NFL.com reports that a team doctor will determine whether or not Redskins QB Robert Griffin III will play on Sunday versus the Browns. RGIII suffered an injury to his LCL and didn’t take first-team reps all week. Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins will start in Griffin’s place if the No. 2 overall pick can’t go.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 15. Reportedly, Griffin hasn't taken any first-team reps this week. He is considered a game-time decision, and if he plays, he may not have his usual speed or explosion. The Redskins play early on Sunday. Kirk Cousins would get the start if Griffin can't play.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said that quarterback Robert Griffin III has a “mild sprain to his LCL.

Shanahan said that the sprain to the ligament, which is on the outside of the knee, is a “Grade 1″ category, but that there is no other structural damage to the knee. Griffin tore his ACL in the same knee in 2009, but that ligament is fine, Shanahan said.

The team hopes the "mild swelling" goes down and that RGIII makes a speedy recovery and plays in Week 15 against Cleveland. It would seem he's likely to be limited in his rushing ability, but we'll have to monitor how he progresses through the week. If RGIII can't go, Kirk Cousins would play, but it sure seems like Griffin is really going to give it a go, especially with a playoff berth still a possibility.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III was optimistic about the severity of his right knee injury Sunday evening before he departed FedEx Field to undergo an MRI.

**UPDATED 9:21 p.m.: An MRI Sunday night showed no serious ligament damage, according to a team spokesman. Griffin's status for next Sunday's game at Cleveland is undetermined.**

Griffin's status for Week 15 is uncertain, but he claimed he's going to fight through the injury and play. Fighting through the injury would likely mean he'll be limited to some extent, perhaps his ability to scramble. Kirk Cousins would get the start if RG3 can't play, but it looks like there's a lot to be determined this week.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan declined to say if it is automatic that QB Kirk Cousins would start next Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field if Griffin is sidelined. The decision about Griffin’s playing status is out of the Redskins’ hands. Griffin, under NFL rules, must be cleared by an independent neurologist before being allowed to practice or play.

“We’ll make the decision that we think gives us the best chance to win,” Shanahan said of the potential choice between Cousins and Rex Grossman. “We’ll sit back and make those decisions at a later time.”

After Robert Griffin III exited the game Sunday with a concussion, the Redskins announced that Griffin had been “shaken up” and his return to the game was questionable. No further update about Griffin’s injury status was provided during the game.

After the game, Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said it became apparent to the team quickly that Griffin had a concussion.

“At that time when he wasn’t really sure what the score was, what quarter it was, we knew he had a mild concussion, at least according to the doctors,” Shanahan said. “He feels good right now—a lot better right now. But that was the situation, why he didn’t go back into the game.”

Griffin tweeted that he was fine and he expects to play in Week 6 but not remember the score makes it seem a little more serious. Either way, he will still have to pass his concussion tests this week. Backup Kirk Cousins would start in place of Griffin against the Vikings if RGIII can't go, but Cousins doesn't possess the same skills Griffin does which always makes him a top play. We'll monitor RGIII's progress all week leading up to the game, but there's a chance you will need to go another direction at QB.