NFL PLAYER NEWS

RG3 benched, Redskins are ‘Kirk’s team’

The Sports Xchange

August 31, 2015 at 12:28 pm.

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Cousins got the start against the Ravens, completing 20 of 27 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins and will replace Robert Griffin III when the team opens the regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

“There’s something powerful about feeling believed in, and something powerful about knowing where you stand,” Cousins said.

Contrary to reports, Gruden said the decision is not being made based on Griffin’s health situation. He insisted the keys to the offense are in Cousins’ hands beyond the season-opening game.

“When it’s all said and done, we feel like at this time Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to win,” Gruden said Monday.

All three quarterbacks were informed of their standing with the team at Redskins’ headquarters before Monday’s practice.

Griffin did not play in Saturday’s preseason game. He spent most of the week recovering from a concussion and shoulder stinger. The Redskins admitted uncertainty into Griffin’s status, even clearing him to return only to have a neurologist say he had not been cleared. Head coach Jay Gruden said the team did everything “by the book” regarding NFL concussion protocol which requires clearance from an independent neurologist.

Cousins, 27, has nine career starts and was drafted in 2012 in the same draft in which the Redskins got Griffin after trading a bounty of draft picks to the St. Louis Rams. Cousins in 2-7 as a starter.

“Kirk’s taken a giant leap,” Gruden said of Cousins’ development this offseason.

The Redskins reportedly told other teams they may be willing to trade Griffin, but no other teams showed interest, per NFL Network and ESPN reports. CBS Sports refuted the report, citing sources.

Griffin’s $16.1 million salary this season, the fifth-year contract value set because he was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is extremely prohibitive for any team wanting to acquire him via trade. However, a team that loses its starter to injury might be inclined to blink at some point during the season.

Cousins got the start against the Ravens, completing 20 of 27 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

“Right now, I’m going to evaluate the game, go from there and find out how Robert is doing,” the second-year coach said. “I’m not going to announce anything. There’s no controversy.”

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