Ashburn, VA (SportsNetwork.com) – Colt McCoy will return to the starting
quarterback role for the Washington Redskins.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden confirmed Wednesday the benching of Robert Griffin
III, who had started the past three games after recovering from a dislocated
ankle suffered in Week 2.
“Colt’s going to start this week,” Gruden told reporters on a conference call
Wednesday. “He’s done some good things. I felt like he deserved a bit of a
promotion.”
The Redskins have lost all three games since Griffin’s return, falling to 3-8.
Griffin has been sacked 16 times in losses to Minnesota, Tampa Bay and San
Francisco, and last Sunday against the 49ers completed 11-of-19 passes for
just 106 yards with a lost fumble in the 17-13 setback.
“I’m not putting the blame all on Robert, it seems that way when you make a
change at that position,” Gruden added. “Robert has done some good things. I
think he needs a little more time in this system and needs to take a step back
and learn. Right now, I felt like Colt would give us a better chance this
week.”
McCoy led the Redskins to each of their last two victories. He replaced an
ineffective Kirk Cousins in the second half of the Redskins’ Week 7 matchup
against Tennessee and rallied the team to a 19-17 decision, then led the way
in an overtime road upset of Dallas a week later.
In his limited action, McCoy has connected on 36-of-42 throws for 427 yards
with a touchdown and an interception. He finished 25-of-30 for 299 yards in
the 20-17 win at Dallas in Week 8.
Griffin has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 869 yards with two
touchdowns and three interceptions in his five starts this season. He has also
been sacked 20 times, and has run for 100 yards on 22 carries.
“He’s not happy, nor did I expect him to be,” Gruden said when asked how
Griffin reacted to the decision.
Griffin’s future with the Redskins could also become a topic of consideration,
as the team must decide during the offseason whether to exercise an option to
extend his contract through 2016.
