Browns to start Griffin at QB in effort to solidify position
BEREA, Ohio — Three months later, Robert Griffin III is starting anew with the Cleveland Browns.
Griffin wants to make the wait worth it.
“It’s all about being in the right situation at the right time,” he said Thursday.
Griffin, who didn’t make it out of Cleveland’s season opener without getting hurt, will make his second start Sunday when the Browns (0-12) host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7).
Griffin hasn’t played since breaking a bone in his left shoulder in the Sept. 11 season opener at Philadelphia, an injury that only strengthened the argument he’s brittle and set the stage for the worst stretch in Browns history.
But after showing coach Hue Jackson in practice he’s healthy and ready, Griffin will make his second start since 2014.
It’s another chance to show doubters he’s durable and is perhaps the beginning of a four-game audition to prove to the Browns he can be their answer at quarterback.
“My job is to go out there and make them believe that,” he said. “Every single day that you come into the building, you have to show the coaches, show the organization you’re going to do what it takes to be that guy.
“That doesn’t change just because they name you the starter or just because you’re playing. It’s an everyday thing. Not just a Sunday thing.”
Griffin will be backed up Sunday by rookie Cody Kessler.
“He gives us a chance to win,” Jackson said, adding he needs a larger sampling size on Griffin before making any judgments about him for the future. “I’m not expect- ing for everything to go perfect.”
Jets’ Mangold will go on IR
The New York Jets are placing Nick Mangold, 32, on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ending the star center’s season and possibly his tenure with the only NFL team for which he has played.
Mangold aggravated an ankle injury during the Jets’ 41-10 loss to Indianapolis on Monday night. He was flying to North Carolina on Thursday to visit orthopedic specialist Dr. Robert Anderson to get another look at his sprained right ankle.
The team decided to shut down Mangold, who will be replaced by Wesley Johnson at center. Johnson filled in as the starter for four games after Mangold initially injured his ankle against Baltimore on Oct. 23.
Mangold, a first-round pick in 2006, is due nearly $6.075 million in base salary next year and the Jets could save $9.075 million on the salary cap by cutting him.
Broncos’ Miller credited for sack
Von Miller’s leadleading sack total jumped to 13½.
The NFL belatedly credited Miller with a strip-sack for his play late in the fourth quarter that sealed Denver’s 20-10 win at Jacksonville on Sunday.
Miller shoved tackle Kelvin Beachum into quarterback Blake Bortles, forcing the ball free. Linebacker Shane Ray recovered the fumble at the Jaguars’ 29-yard line with 1:27 remaining.