Redskins head coach Jay Gruden on Thursday said quarterback Robert Griffin III – who hasn't played since dislocating his ankle Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars – " should be the starter" Sunday when Washington travels to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.
Gruden said Griffin III took a majority of the first-steam snaps at quarterback in Thursday's practice, and that his final decision will come after evaluating Griffin III during Friday's practice.
"We have the intent of him starting," Gruden said of Griffin III. "If everything goes well tomorrow, yes, he should be the starter."
Griffin III's injury occurred in the first quarter of the Redskins' Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars at FedExFIeld. He scrambled out of the pocket to his right as he looked to make a last-second throw to wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and, after attempting to stiff arm Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny, Griffin III said his left ankle "got caught in the ground."
Since that time, backup Kirk Cousins – and, more recently, Colt McCoy – took over starting duties at quarterback while Griffin III recovered from the injury. In the past two weeks – wins over the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys – McCoy completed 36-of-42 passes for 427 yards and one touchdown and interception, while also rushing for a touchdown.
Gruden said if Griffin III isn't able to play Sunday for whatever reason, the team is confident that McCoy can go in and get the job done.
If Griffin III is able to go, however, Gruden said there's no use keeping him on the bench if he's physically and mentally ready, adding that the upcoming bye week has little bearing on additional practice opportunities.
"There are no cons to playing him now if he's healthy, which we think he is," Gruden said. "The problem with the bye is everyone thinks you've got all this extra time to work. The bye week, the players get like five days off. It's not like we can come out here and have two-a-days and get them ready. If he's ready physically, I think he should play. Physically we think he's ready."
Griffin III on Monday said he is "feeling good" and "getting better every day."
"An injury like this just takes time," he said. "When I'm ready to go, I'll be back out there."
He said whichever player gets the start under center on Sunday, it's important to keep the momentum going into the bye week.
"You want to start a winning streak, and we're on that," Griffin III said. "We want to keep it rolling against Minnesota. They're not going to make it easy for us, but we'll be ready for them."
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