Robert Griffin III ‘Very, Very Close to Returning’ Per Jay Gruden

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden told reporters on Oct. 28 that injured starting quarterback Robert Griffin III is “very, very close to returning.” Griffin III dislocated his left ankle during the Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Robert Griffin III will take the field sooner than later. 

According to Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden , his starting quarterback is “very, very close to returning,” per an Oct. 28 update from The Washington Post’s Mike Jones. RG III dislocated his left ankle during the Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars: 

“Redskins coach Jay Gruden said that quarterback Robert Griffin III is ‘very, very close’ to making his return from the ankle injury that has sidelined him for the past six games. But the day after Colt McCoy helped the team to its second straight win, Gruden insisted that the backup-turned-interim-starter’s play has no impact on the decision on when Griffin will return.

“Gruden has maintained that whenever Griffin does receiver medical clearance, and once he performs well enough in practice to earn the coach’s confidence, and once he performs well enough in practice to earn the coaches’ confidence, the third-year pro will reclaim his job. McCoy had a strong performance in the 20-17 win over Dallas, and he will remain the starter until Griffin receives the green light. But Gruden doesn’t feel a sense of greater flexibility because of McCoy’s positive showings.

“‘We’re not going to rush Robert back, no matter what happens. We’re going to make sure he’s 100 percent, and until we feel like he’s 100 percent, Colt will still play,’ Gruden said Tuesday afternoon. ‘Colt did a great job, obviously, leading us to victory against (the) Dallas (Cowboys), but it’s still going to be predicated on when the doctors say he’s 100 percent, when Robert feels like he’s 100 percent and when I feel like he’s ready to take the game-time reps.’

“The Redskins this week have a short turnaround because they played Monday night and have a smaller window of recovery time. Gruden said because of that, Wednesday’s practice — normally one of the most rigorous of the week — will run at walk-through/jog-through pace. Then Gruden hopes to ramp up the level of activity Thursday and Friday. Based on those two practices, he hopes to have a good grasp of Griffin’s physical and mental state.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden says QB Robert Griffin III “is very, very, very close,” to his return. pic.twitter.com/W43hy2PJGX— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 28, 2014

“‘We’ll make the decision. I think Robert is very, very, very close. We just have to decide if he is ready,’ Gruden said. ‘Physically, I think he’ll be ready to go. Doctors feel pretty good about it. They still want to see him run around this week before they make their final determination, but I just wnat to make sure he feels good in the pocket, moving forward.’

“Gruden said the decision of who he’ll tab as the backup to Griffin — if Griffin indeed returns this week — is a bigger matter of debate right now.”  

Griffin issued a statement on his impending return prior to the Week 8 game against the Cowboys, per the Redskins’ official website:

“A quote that I stumbled upon during this process of being injured and being out was by Winston Churchill. It says, ‘Courage is what it takes to stand up to something. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.’ During this time, I’ve been listening, learning, growing as a player in this offense. It’s our job to help this team win and I’ve been there for Kirk and Colt as much as I possibly can and being there for this team to make sure they’re as ready as possible during this process. 

“It sucks that I can’t get out there and play with them and help them get wins. But I’ve been listening to the doctors, listening to the trainers, listening to the coaches, and we’re not going to rush my ankle. It’s a blessing that I wasn’t as hurt as bad as it could have been. It’s been a blessing and I’ve been recovering right on time.

“That’s good, but at the same time, we don’t want to rush that. It’s Dallas week. We all want to beat Dallas. We all know what this game means for our season, so that’s what I’ve been trying to do this week and making sure that I’m ready to go, making sure this team’s ready to go, and whoever plays quarterback is ready to go. That’s all I got to say. Beat Dallas.” 

Griffin has thrown for 6,708 yards 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions on a 91.8 passer rating in 30 career regular-season games for the Redskins. He ahs also rushed for 1,328 yards and seven touchdowns during that span, per ESPN stats. 

For more of the hottest sports news, log on to Sport Balla today.