In a surprising turn of events developing over the past week, the Washington Redskins will start quarterback Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin III in their regular season opener against the Miami Dolphins, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.The Redskins were slated to start Griffin in their third exhibition game at Baltimore on Saturday after he was reportedly cleared by a neurologist relating to a concussion the team said he suffered in last Thursday's game against the Lions.
The sudden appearance of a second brain analyst, however, seems to have changed everything.
The team announced on Friday that another neurologist retracted that original decision, requesting that Griffin be held from competition for one to two weeks after a second opinion. Cousins was originally named the starter for the Ravens' game before coaches extended that call to the regular season.
Former Redskins quarterback, and current color commentator, Joe Theismann said this week that Saturday's game would have been the most important of Griffin's life, pertaining to the seeming lack of progress he has made in his game during his three-year career.
Head coach Jay Gruden had named Griffin the season starter before the preseason and was hopeful in seeing what he could provide under center. He has been average in camp, showing some marks of improvement inside the pocket, but his two exhibition outings have not been inspiring, culminating in a three-sack, two-fumble, six-hit contest in what may have been at least his last preseason appearance in a Redskins uniform.
The decision to name Cousins the regular season starter brings to mind one of two immense changes of heart. One, that Griffin's injury is worse than was originally believed. Or, two, that Gruden or the franchise have finally decided they are going in a different direction at the quarterback position, and are using his injury as the excuse to begin the process of separation.
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