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 Griffin, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, has struggled for the
Redskins since injuring his knee in a January 2013 playoff loss to
the Seattle Seahawks that required surgery and extensive
rehabilitation.
There has been growing speculation that Griffin is no longer wanted
by the Redskins front office but coach Jay Gruden said on Monday
that the team still had belief in the quarterback.
"I like Robert as a quarterback," Gruden said during a news
conference. "His future with the Washington Redskins is what it is.
There have been no discussions of letting him go or any of that
stuff.
"Kirk has done an outstanding job, Robert's done some great things,
no question we have total faith in all three of them," Gruden added,
referring to quarterbacks Cousins, Griffin III and Colt McCoy.
Griffin, who played for Baylor University where he won the 2011
Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college football player, was
named the team's starter at quarterback in February.
However, he was scratched on the eve of a pre-season game against
the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday after being evaluated by
independent league neurologists following a concussion he suffered
11 days ago against the Detroit Lions.
Cousins, who got the start in place of Griffin, impressed against
the Ravens and went on to complete 20-of-27 passes for 190 yards and
a touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder.
"All three quarterbacks should be commended for their efforts, their
willingness to get better," Gruden said after team practice at
Redskins Park.
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"But when it's all said and done after all the film that we've gone
through, all the offseason activity, all the training camp footage,
we feel that at this time, Kirk Cousins gives us the best chance to
win ... it's Kirk's team."
Cousins, 27, a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, has
completed a combined 40-of-53 passes for 435 yards, two touchdowns
and one interception in three pre-season games.
He will start for the Redskins when their season begins against the
Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Griffin, 25, took part in non-contact drills on Monday but remains
in the league's concussion protocol and will not play in
Washington's final preseason game on Thursday against the
Jacksonville Jaguars.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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