RG3 is the next man up for winless Browns

BEREA, OHIO — RG3’s getting his second shot with the Browns.

Robert Griffin III, who hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in the Sept. 11 season opener at Philadelphia, will start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals as the winless Browns (0-12) try to avoid becoming the second team in NFL history to go 0-16.

Griffin hasn’t played since breaking a bone in his left shoulder in Cleveland’s 29-10 loss to the Eagles nearly three months ago. He was recently cleared for contact and coach Hue Jackson selected him to be the starter following two practices after Cleveland’s bye week.

The Browns placed him on injured reserve with the idea Griffin could return, and Jackson will make his sixth quarterback change in his first season with Cleveland. After Griffin was injured the Browns also started Josh McCown (three games) and rookie Cody Kessler (eight).

The team has been unable to find a franchise quarterback for more than a decade and the Browns are giving the 26-year-old Griffin a chance to revive his career, which ended after four seasons with Washington.

Earlier this week, Griffin, who was told by doctors when he got hurt that he would probably not play again this season, said he would relish the chance to return to the field this season to give his team a spark “It’s just an opportunity to play in the NFL with a group of guys who don’t deserve to be 0-12,” Griffin said.