NFL roundup: Griffin says he could have played
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was inactive for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, but Griffin said after the Redskins' 38-21 victory that he probably could have played.
"I felt like I could have played," he told reporters after the game. "I worked the whole week like I was going to play,"
Griffin did not dress for the game after sustaining a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee last week.
Kirk Cousins made his first NFL start in replacing Griffin, and led Washington to victory.
Coach Mike Shanahan had said Griffin's availability would be left up to the team doctors.
Other Redskins inactive for Sunday's game included wide receivers Brandon Banks and Dezmon Briscoe, linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, and offensive linemen Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton and Adam Gettis.
-- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant played in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers even though he has a broken left index finger.
Bryant was injured in the fourth quarter of last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Also, Cowboys rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne was inactive for the game with a concussion.
After meeting with doctors earlier in the week, Bryant was told he needs to have surgery and that re-injuring the finger could cause long-term damage.
--Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was on the Dallas sidelines for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Brent is facing intoxication manslaughter charges as a result of driving drunk and getting into the accident that killed Jerry Brown.
--Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Adam Hayward got into a sideline altercation with position coach Bryan Cox in the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Fox TV cameras showed Cox push Hayward with one arm after the player stepped in front of him as he yelled toward the field, according to NFL.com. Hayward then pushed Cox back with two hands. Cox responded by putting a finger in front of Hayward's face and the two got into a yelling match.
They were separated by linebacker Jacob Cutrera.
---Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs played Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
He missed last week's game against the Washington Redskins with a torn right biceps. He sustained the injury two weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, wide receiver Torrey Smith and running back Bernard Pierce left Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos with concussions.
---Even though Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was suspended for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys for conduct detrimental to the team, the two sides are engaging in contract talks, according to ESPN.com.
Mendenhall did not show up for last week's game against the San Diego Chargers after he found out he was inactive. He had lost his starting job to Jonathan Dwyer two weeks ago.
Mendenhall is a free agent at the end of the season.
---Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson recently said his future with the team is not certain.
The Titans will have a five-day window after the season to cut running back Chris Johnson without cost to their salary cap.
After the Super Bowl, the Titans will have until Feb. 9 to decide whether or not to keep Johnson without the cap hit. Otherwise, $9 million of Johnson's $10 million salary for 2013 is guaranteed, according to ESPN.com.
--Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White played Sunday against the New York Giants, despite missing practice all week with a knee injury, according to NFL.com.
White was listed as questionable on the team's injury report on Friday.
He has not missed a game in his eight-year career.
---Injured New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller (ankle), wide receiver Stephen Hill (knee), linebacker Bryan Thomas (chest) and cornerback Aaron Berry (hamstring) did not travel with the team for Monday night's game against the Tennessee Titans, the New York Daily News reported.
The Jets (6-7) will try to even their record and fight for a playoff spot against the struggling Titans (4-9).
-
