We’ve been expecting to see Robert Griffin III at quarterback for the Redskins on Sunday since the rookie was able to practice without setbacks all three days this week.
The league’s concussion protocols demand that Griffin pass multiple cognitive tests before he’s given the clearance to play in a game. Some of those tests go on during the weekend of the game, so the Redskins couldn’t make any kind of confirmation of Griffin’s status during the week. Mike Shanahan said that Griffin would start as long as he passed all the tests, which was about as far as he could go.
It looks like Griffin’s gotten the green light he needed. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Griffin will be in the starting lineup against the Vikings. The Redskins have already said that they don’t plan to change much of anything about their offensive scheme to protect Griffin, so it should be a familiar offensive look for the Redskins this week.
The key for Griffin will be to protect himself. He spoke earlier this week of the need to get down or throw a ball away in order to avoid a big hit, something that he’d be wise to keep in mind with Jared Allen on the other side of the line on Sunday.