The Washington Redskins got some welcome medical news heading into their Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, as quarterback Robert Griffin III was cleared to start the game after being out for the preseason.
According to ESPN.com, Griffin was cleared to play for Week 1 and after holding him out all preseason, head coach Mike Shanahan said that he is a full go. Griffin underwent serious knee surgery this past offseason and all signs point to him being 100 percent and ready for the opening game of the year after sitting out for the entire preseason at the decision of Shanahan.
Griffin was electric last season and led the Redskins to the playoffs and Dr. James Andrews ruffled some feathers after talking about how the team uses Griffin and all eyes will be on him Monday night. The surgery happened in January and Griffin returned to team workouts over the summer and said that he was ahead of his rehab schedule.
"If we didn't feel Robert was full-go and ready to play and do all the things you ask a guy to do, he would not be playing in this game," Shanahan said. "If that's sprinting out, if it's running the option, if it's drop back, he can do all those things because he proved it to us in practice."
Griffin helped Washington make the playoffs after a 3-6 start, leading them to seven straight wins to end the season. He led the team to 10 wins for the first time since 2005 and the playoffs for the first time since 2007, but his style of play may end up being his biggest down fall. This season Griffin passed for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 815 yards and seven scores, but dealt with various injuries.
Griffin is an amazing player and a dynamic presence in the offense, but he can't do anything for the Redskins while he is on the sidelines. Kirk Cousins has proven to be an able-bodied backup and a skilled quarterback in his limited playing time, he is not considered to be the franchise player or the quarterback of the future for the Redskins.
