NFL buzz: Robert Griffin III will start for Browns vs. Bengals
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Browns to start RG3
Robert Griffin III will be making his return this week for the Cleveland Browns.
The team announced Thursday he will be the starting quarterback this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"We have had a couple practices now. I am getting closer, but no decision today," Browns coach Hue Jackson said Wednesday. "We will keep watching the practice tape and see where we are and keep putting this gameplan together and kind of go from there.”
Griffin has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his shoulder during the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jackson said he would not need to see Griffin go through a full week of work to start him.
"It is not so much gamesmanship," Jackson said. "We are talking about a young man that has not played much football this year. I need to be for sure about everything that could potentially go on. Before you stick him out there, you want to make sure you are putting guys in the right situation, give him the right opportunity. We will keep practicing and we will keep getting these guys ready to play.”
Said Griffin of his work ahead of his return: “Yeah, I had a couple slides here and there, but no 350-pounders have landed on me yet. It is just something you have to be ready for. Football is a very physical game, and they are not going to shy away from trying to hit me. I just have to make sure I protect myself. I know my line is going to protect me. That is the goal is to not get the quarterback hit. We are going to do things to try to be conducive to that and I just can’t worry about those things. It is football. You are going to get hit. That is why you put on your armor and go out to battle.”
Goff misses practice with illness
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff missed practice Wednesday with an illness, but coach Jeff Fisher said he didn't believe it would be cause for concern this week.
The Rams host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Kuechly back at practice
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly returned to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion on Nov. 17.
Kuechly still has to be cleared in the NFL's concussion protocol before he can play. The Panthers face the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.
Eagles get leading rusher back
Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games with a knee injury.
Mathews leads the Eagles with 427 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries.
Wide receiver Jordan Matthews (ankle) also was back for Philadelphia.
Week 13 awards handed out
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck were named Week 13's offensive players of the week in the NFC and AFC, respectively.
Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks and Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry won the awards for top defensive players.
PHOTOS: NFL power rankings entering Week 14