Redskins wait on Griffin’s knee
Shanahan says team preparing game plans for both rookie QBS
Given a chance to backtrack, Garcon added: “We have to prepare for the worst.”
Either Garcon was spilling the beans, or he was making an assumption on his own. The fact that it generated plenty of debate shows the type of phenom RG3 has become in such a short time.
Teammates were quick to indicate that no such announcement about Griffin or Cousins has been made to the team. Guard Chris Chester said he hadn’t heard “anything about it either way” and that Garcon’s statement was “probably a guess.” Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander added: “I have no clue on Robert.”
Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said the team had no comment, other than to reiterate that coach Mike Shanahan addressed the matter Monday and will give an update when practice resumes today.
The coach said Monday he is preparing game plans for both quarterbacks, though that also could be a ploy to keep the Browns guessing as to which player they’ll face.
Even if Shanahan is expecting Cousins to start, it would appear premature to make a final decision until it’s seen whether Griffin is able to practice. Griffin’s father, Robert Griffin Jr., said Monday that “we will know by Thursday” whether his son will be able to play.
Griffin has a mildly sprained right knee after getting hit late in regulation during Washington’s Week 14 game against Baltimore. Fellow rookie Cousins came on in relief to lead a game-tying drive, and the Redskins won 31-28 in overtime.
The Redskins (7-6) have won four straight, but they need to keep winning to stay in a crowded NFC playoff picture. They trail the first-place New York Giants by one game in the NFC East and are one game behind the leaders for the conference’s two wild-card spots.
STEELERS — The team suspended running back Rashard Mendenhall for Sunday’s game at Dallas for conduct detrimental to the team. Mendenhall has been inactive for the past two games after fumbling in a 20-14 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 25. He was third on the depth chart behind Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman when the team released its updated chart.
The 25-year-old Mendenhall has struggled staying healthy over the past 11 months. He tore the ACL in his right knee in the 2011 regular-season finale and returned Oct. 4 against Philadelphia, accounting for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 16-14 victory. Mendenhall strained his right Achilles tendon the following week against Tennessee and never regained a firm hold on the starting job.
Also, David DeCastro, the No. 24 pick in the draft who suffered a torn MCL in the preseason, finally might get into the Steelers’ starting lineup.
Left guard Willie Colon had surgery on his left knee Monday and could be out for the season. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that DeCastro will be worked in at right guard during practice this week and could start Sunday when Pittsburgh (7-6) plays at Dallas (7-6).
BEARS — Kicker Robbie Gould will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left calf, another blow to the stumbling Bears with a big NFC North showdown coming up Sunday against Green Bay (9-4).
Chicago (8-5) placed Gould on injured reserve and signed veteran kicker Olindo Mare to a one-year contract. It also
It’s going to be quite a week waiting on Robert Griffin III’s knee.
The intrigue over the status of the league’s top-rated quarterback took a twist Tuesday morning when Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon went on national television and said that Kirk Cousins will start Sunday in place of Griffin against Cleveland.
“We have Kirk starting,” Garcon said during an interview on ESPN. “We have to play well around Kirk so Kirk doesn’t feel like he has to try to save the team.”
NFL NOTES placed cornerback Sherrick McManis (knee) and safety Craig Steltz (chest) on IR while signing linebacker Jerry Franklin to a two-year deal, elevating receiver Joe Anderson from the practice squad and waiving guard/center Andre Gurode.
EAGLES — LeSean McCoy expects to step right into his starting role. Michael Vick has no choice but to stand on the sideline.
McCoy and Vick returned to practice after missing several weeks with concussions, and both players could be active Thursday when Philadelphia hosts Cincinnati.
In McCoy’s case, he’s still the Eagles’ No. 1 running back. Vick lost his starting job to rookie quarterback Nick Foles.
49ERS — Demarcus Dobbs’ season is over after he was placed on injured reserve with a right knee problem.
The defensive tackle was injured when he landed awkwardly in the first half of San Francisco’s 27-13 Week 14 victory over Miami, and he had to be carted off the field before halftime.
PATRIOTS — New England placed wide receiver Donte Stallworth on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The move ended his season after one game, a 42-14 win over Houston on Monday in which he scored on his only reception, a 63-yarder from Tom Brady. The Patriots, who had released Stallworth following training camp, re-signed him Dec. 4 after wide receiver Julian Edelman went on injured reserve with a foot injury.
JETS — Braylon Edwards is back with New York — a week after bashing the team on Twitter. The veteran wide receiver was awarded to the Jets off waivers from Seattle as New York tries to bolster its injured receiving corps with a familiar face.
Edwards, waived Monday by the Seahawks, developed a good rapport with quarterback Mark Sanchez in helping New York to consecutive trips to the AFC title game in 2009 and 2010.
BILLS — Buffalo placed running back Fred Jackson on injured reserve. Jackson won’t require surgery after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain to his MCL this week, but with the Bills (5-8) looking toward next season, the move became an obvious one.
RAVENS — Rookie cornerback Asa Jackson was suspended for four games