For the first time since Week Five against the Falcons, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will be able to throw the ball to Pierre Garçon.
Garçon has been sidelined since then with a foot problem that first cropped up in the season opener and never got much better. There was some fear that Garçon would have to undergo surgery that would cost him the rest of the season, but his return to practice this week went well enough that he is active for Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
The Redskins hoped Garçon would provide Griffin with a reliable and productive target in the quarterback’s rookie season. Garçon had a big opener in New Orleans to raise hopes on the productive side of things, but the injuries haven’t done much for his reliability. If he can stay on the field, Garçon can at least start building that kind of relationship with Griffin heading into 2013. Garçon will start, although we don’t know if there are any limitations on how much he’ll play.
Safety Brandon Meriweather is also active for the Redskins, but it doesn’t quite qualify as a return since he hasn’t played a regular season game for the team. Meriweather’s fought knee problems all year and they’ve finally abated enough for him to get on the field. Like Garçon, Meriweather will be in the starting lineup.