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In news that will shock almost no one, NFL.com's Albert Breer is reporting that Robert Griffin III will not be ready to start tonight against the Dallas Cowboys. This means that Colt McCoy will be getting his first NFL start since 12/08/2011 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCoy has spent the last 3 years as a backup QB with the Browns, 49ers, and the Redskins. He was signed this year with little fanfare to a 1 year vet-minimum contract to be the 3rd string QB, replacing Rex Grossman III. Many people questioned the Redskins need for a 3rd QB, and McCoy's chances of even making the roster. Now, due to a series of injuries and interceptions, McCoy is set to be the #1 QB on Monday Night Football in the state where he made his name in college football.
Head Coach Jay Gruden tried to leave the door open for Robert Griffin III to play all week long, calling him the wild card, and delaying the announcement from Wednesday, to Friday, and finally to Monday night. The only thing he would definitively say, was that Colt McCoy would get the start over Kirk Cousins. Griffin began working out last week on a Redskins practice field for the first time since dislocating his ankle in Week 2. He did individual drills, and then moved up to team drills this week. Reports were mixed from practice, with most observers saying he looked fine, but needed more time. He worked with the first, second, and scout teams all week, rotating between them with McCoy getting the majority of the first team starts.
The Redskins play an away game against the Minnesota Vikings next week, and then have their bye week. A lot of people have speculated that Griffin will be held out until after the bye, when the Redskins host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This gives Griffin a few more weeks of recovery time, and more practice time with the team. Griffin has not been medically cleared to play yet, but has been cleared for everything in practice. Griffin is obviously close to returning, but the question is when?
RGIII will not play tonight vs. Cowboys: http://t.co/GY16UzIKMc pic.twitter.com/BQAfMWiqA7
— NFL (@nfl) October 27, 2014
Not that it's any surprise, but Redskins QB Robert Griffin III won't play tonight. As expected, Colt McCoy starts for Washington in Dallas.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 27, 2014