Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that he’s still waiting for a thumbs-up from the doctors before declaring rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III may play again.
RG3 sprained the lateral collateral ligament his right knee against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 9 and missed Sunday’s 38-21 victory over Cleveland.
“We’re going to play Robert when he’s 100 percent (healthy),” Shanahan said. “When that ligament’s fine, when the doctors feel there’s no chance for injury, that he can go out there and perform at that level in a game situation without injury, we’re going to go with our starter.”
The sprain was mild, and Griffin made a case for staying in the lineup when he moved well in practice last week. Shanahan waited until Saturday night to announce that backup Kirk Cousins would start and said he was taking the doctors’ advice. Griffin immediately made it known that he was unhappy with the decision.
“If the doctor gives his OK,” Shanahan said, “(Griffin is) going to play.”
NO. 10 IS NO. 1
Griffin’s No. 10 Redskins jersey is the top seller on NFLShop.com this season.
The top six spots belong to quarterbacks, with Peyton Manning of the Broncos No. 2, followed by Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, Eli Manning of the Giants, Tom Brady of the Patriots and Andrew Luck of the Colts. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch is 18th.
FAMILY ARRESTED
Redskins linebacker London Fletcher blamed security workers at Cleveland Browns Stadium for a confrontation that led to the arrests of several of his relatives during his first NFL game in his hometown.
A report from the Cleveland Police Dept. blamed what it called a “riot” on the fans who were arrested, saying a security official was punched and knocked down while trying to escort an unruly spectator from the stadium.
Fletcher said four of his family members were arrested and still in custody as of Monday afternoon.
Cleveland police spokeswoman Detective Jennifer Ciaccia said five people were arrested for assault on a police officer, aggravated rioting and resisting arrest and that they had not been officially charged by Monday evening.
Fletcher said he had about 50 friends and family at the stadium for Washington’s 38-21 win at Cleveland. He said they were harassed because they were wearing Redskins colors, but he said the fracas apparently began when a security official was asking how the large group had acquired such good seats.
“Really what led to the ruckus was something that happened with stadium security — where they’re supposed to diffuse the situation, they were more instigators or they didn’t diffuse the situation,” Fletcher said. “It wasn’t even with the fans at that point in time. I think one of the stadium workers, I don’t know, he went overboard with what his job responsibilities were.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Cardinals re-signed guard-center Mike Gibson and released defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin. Gibson appeared in 20 games, starting eight, with the Seattle Seahawks from 2009-11. … Redskins tackle Jordan Black was suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. Black, 32, had to rapidly gain weight for training camp when the Redskins signed him this summer after he spent a year out of football. … Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn injured his ribs against Oakland, and his status is unknown for Sunday’s game against the Colts. … Cowboys officials were surprised to see nose tackle Josh Brent, who has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in the Dec. 8 traffic death of teammate Jerry Brown, on the sideline at Sunday’s game against the Steelers, even though Brown’s mother is urging the team to not turn away from Brent. … Bills reserve linebacker Arthur Moats will miss the final two games of the season after hurting his ankle. … The Browns waived defensive back Dimitri Patterson.
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