RGIII to sit out Sunday; Cousins to start for Redskins
Washington Redskins rookie Kirk Cousins will start in place of injured Robert Griffin III on Sunday against Ceveland, the Redskins announced Saturday night.
ESPN.com reported that the players were told in a team meeting that Cousins would get the nod over fellow rookie Griffin, who suffered a sprained knee late in last Sunday's win over Baltimore.
"The decision was not my own ...," Griffin tweeted. "But I will be there for my team!!! In every way I possibly can."
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan had said earlier that the decision on Griffin's availability would be left up to the team doctors. He had indicated previously that RGIII would be a game-time decision but also said he had been encouraged by Griffin's progress during the week.
Griffin, who was listed as questionable Friday on the team's injury report, practiced throughout the week but appeared to observers to be favoring his injured leg during passing drills.
Cousins, out of Michigan State, will be making his first NFL start against the Browns. He replaced Griffin in the fourth quarter last Sunday and led the Redskins to the overtime victory over the Ravens.
During practices this week, Cousins worked solely with the first-team offense.
