After plenty of speculation, the Washington Redskins appear to be ending the speculation regarding who will be the team's starting quarterback in an important Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Redskins have been dealing with a sputtering offense thanks to inconsistent quarterback play and that just might continue in Week 8. After hope got high regarding the return of Robert Griffin III, it will be Colt McCoy under center in this NFC East matchup.
There was some thought that Griffin could return under center for the game against Dallas. The quarterback has been out with a dislocated ankle, but made his return to the practice field last week, taking part in some individual drills. He was seen leading the first-team offense while McCoy worked with the second team and Kirk Cousins was demoted to third string. Griffin looked healthy on the field, but had yet to be cleared by team doctors. Now, NFL Media's Albert Breer is reporting that Griffin will not be playing against Dallas. The quarterback is listed as questionable, but the team has not deemed him healthy enough to start the game. Instead, the Redskins will continue with McCoy leading the team.
McCoy saw his first bit of action of the season after Cousins added two more interceptions to his name and was promptly benched. The Redskins have given Cousins every chance to prove he is worthy of a starting job in the NFL, but the quarterback failed to grasp the opportunity and has since been demoted. Head coach Jay Gruden remains confident that McCoy can handle the starting job.
"He does have great intangibles," Gruden said, via ESPN.com. "He's a very good competitor. I feel like he'll get us in the right play and make the right throw. I've always liked his demeanor. He has the intangibles to be a good quarterback. He has a great opportunity Monday."
Going up against Dallas will not be an easy task considering they are the hot team of the moment. If McCoy is going to succeed against the rival team, the rest of the offense is going to have to help out. Alfred Morris and Roy Helu will be relied on to keep things balanced on the ground while DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon will lead the passing offense. If McCoy can stay calm and work with the rest of the team, the Redskins could hold their own in the game despite Griffin being out.
