Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins will start for the Washington Redskins in place of the injured Robert Griffin III on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Saturday night.
“The decision was not my own…But I will be there for my team!!! In every way I possibly can,” Griffin wrote on Twitter Saturday night.
Griffin was limited in practice all week because of a mildly sprained lateral ligament in his right knee. He suffered the injury in the final two minutes of regulation last Sunday in the Redskins’ overtime win over Baltimore.
This will be Cousins’ first career start. The fourth-round rookie out of Michigan State completed the game-tying touchdown drive in relief of Griffin last Sunday.
Redskins coaches during the week stressed the importance of protecting Griffin’s long-term health and the stability of his knee, in which the ACL was surgically reconstructed in 2009.
Griffin’s passer rating of 104.2 is tied for the best in the NFL with that of New England’s Tom Brady.
The Redskins must beat Cleveland Sunday to improve their chances of qualifying for the NFC playoffs.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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