Redskins’ Griffin won’t play tonight at Baltimore
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will sit out Saturday night’s exhibition game at Baltimore because of a concussion, reversing an earlier decision to let him play.
In a statement released Friday by the Redskins, NFL independent neurologist Robert Kurtzke is quoted saying that Griffin “should be held from game play this weekend and be retested in one [to] two weeks before a firm conclusion to return to game play can be made.”
Griffin left last week’s exhibition game against Detroit with what Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said afterward was a concussion. The Redskins announced Thursday that Griffin had been cleared to play this weekend.
“We had anticipated yesterday that the patient would be cleared for full participation in game play this weekend,” Kurtzke said in his statement Friday. “However, upon further scrutiny today of the neuropsychology data, I agree with the neuropsychologist that he should be held from game play this weekend.”
Friday night, Griffin tweeted: “Trusting in God even when I don’t understand why certain things happen.”
Exhibitions
Tom Brady overcame two early interceptions to lead his first touchdown drive of the preseason as the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers, 17-16, in Charlotte, N.C.
The preseason has been a titanic struggle for Brady, who is awaiting word on his appeal of a four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate.
Carolina managed just two field goals in the first half behind Cam Newton and trailed, 7-6, at halftime. Corey Brown bobbled away an easy touchdown pass from Newton — one of four Carolina drops in the first half.
Newton finished 17 for 28 for 160 yards and a touchdown.
at Kansas City 34, Tennessee 10: Alex Smith threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half, and the Chiefs’ offense looked the sharpest it has all preseason in a weather-shortened 34-10 victory over the Titans.
The game was called with 3 minutes 50 seconds remaining after thunder rumbled and lightning streaked across the sky. Heavy rains had turned one end zone into a lake.
Smith was 16 for 18 before giving way to third-string quarterback Aaron Murray just before halftime. Murray played the rest of the game for the Chiefs, throwing for 146 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception.
Detroit 22, at Jacksonville 17: Matthew Stafford completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Lions beat the Jaguars, 22-17, in a preseason game Friday night.
The Lions trailed most of the night, but rookie Zach Zenner’s three-yard touchdown run with 1:41 remaining was the winner.
Etc.
The felony charge of malicious wounding against Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter has been reduced to a misdemeanor count of assault and battery. … Dallas offensive lineman R.J. Dill ,a third-year player who hasn’t appeared in an NFL game, has been suspended four games for violating the league’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs.