The Washington Redskins plan to start quarterback Robert Griffin III against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, coach Jay Gruden said Thursday.
Griffin has been out since Week 2 with a dislocated ankle.
“If everything goes well, he’s got a great chance to start,” Gruden said. “He looks great. His ankle looks good.”
Washington could have waited until after its Week 10 bye, but Gruden said Griffin is completely healthy and there is no reason to wait.
“Robert’s the starter,” Gruden said. “He’s got to be 100 percent ... and we feel like he’s 100 percent right now. All the doctors are on board; the trainers are on board.
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“There (are) no cons to playing him now,” the coach added. “Physically we think he’s ready. ... It’s not like his leg is going to get stronger sitting him. His leg is fine. So ... what the heck.”
Griffin was injured early in the Redskins’ 41-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 14. He had completed 2 of 3 passes for 38 yards before leaving that game.
In Week 1, he completed 29 of 37 throws for 267 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, in a 17-6 loss to the Texans in Houston.
With Kirk Cousins replacing Griffin, the Redskins lost four games in a row. That streak ended when Colt McCoy stepped in and led the Redskins to a last-play win against the Tennessee Titans and an overtime win Monday against the Cowboys in Dallas.
Griffin and McCoy split practice reps Wednesday in Griffin’s first full practice since he was injured.
Last year against Minnesota, Griffin threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and gained 44 yards on seven carries in a Redskins’ loss.
