The Washington Redskins did not anticipate their season taking this turn again. They loaded up on role players in the offseason hoping to return to the postseason under new head coach Jay Gruden. After a somewhat down year, Robert Griffin III entered training camp healthy and ready to play. However, things derailed quickly when Griffin once again went down with injury in the second week of the season. Gruden downplayed any idea that the quarterback was poised for a quick return.
Reports surfaced that Griffin was moving along quickly in his recovery from a dislocated ankle. He was seen throwing passes to tight end Jordan Reed during pregame warmups of the Redskins' Monday Night Football game. That sparked talk that Griffin could be returning much faster than originally assumed, something that could be good or bad depending on Kirk Cousins. However, Gruden shot that idea down saying Griffin would not be getting into uniform any time soon.
"I don't envision that any time soon," Gruden said, via the Washington Post. "Maybe we'll get him out here when the time is right. He's trying to offer support. If he sees something, he can recommend it. Between myself and (offensive coordinator) Sean (McVay) talking to Kirk, I think it's more he's there to pat him on the head and tell him to hang in there."
The Redskins are being cautious when it comes to handling Griffin's injury. This is the quarterback's second major leg injury in his pro career, not including the torn ACL he suffered in college while at Baylor. He managed to return extremely fast from his ACL tear following his rookie season, but never looked like his normal, athletic self for most of last season as a result. The Redskins are trying to prevent that from happening a second time around.
For now, Cousins will handle the role and could for the remainder of the season depending on Griffin's health and Washington's chances at the postseason. Cousins has yet to get a win as the starting quarterback despite putting up some solid stats in the process. Reports surfaced that Washington has been joking around in the locker room despite coming off back-to-back losses and being 1-4. ESPN's John Keim said players were laughing and joking, not looking like the last team in the NFC East. Gruden denied the idea and said everyone was committed to improving and winning.
