RG3 Injury Update: Will Griffin Be Ready For Week 1? Cousins To Fill In?

Washington Redskins fans who want to see Robert Griffin III participate in an NFL game are going to have to be a little more patient. The team is scheduled to play its first exhibition game in two weeks against the Tennessee Titans, but the quarterback isn’t likely to play.

RGIII has been medically cleared to participate in training camp, but that doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be ready to take the field in a game anytime soon. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the organization is still trying to figure out if they’ll have their starting quarterback for Week One of the 2013 NFL season.

“Nobody knows for sure right now,” said Schefter. “The signs are encouraging, but the fact of the matter is he still hasn’t gone through training camp. He’s still not in football shape. He still hasn’t taken a hit. He still hasn’t played in a preseason game and probably won’t, and the Redskins can carry this up all the way to the first week of September before they make a decision. They don’t know whether he’ll be ready to play.”

Griffin underwent surgery to repair his torn ACL and LCL in his right knee six months ago. His original recovery time was set for between seven and nine months.

If Griffin isn’t ready to return when the Redskins open up the season on Sept. 9, Kirk Cousins will take his place. The 24-year-old was a rookie, as well, in 2012, and participated in three games. He performed admirably while filling in for Griffin, registering a 101.6 quarterback rating. On 48 pass attempts, he threw for 466 yards and four touchdowns.

Cousins is considered among the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Despite not being drafted until the fourth round, he’s shown the ability to control a game and win against good teams. He had plenty of trade value this offseason, but Washington decided to keep him because of Griffin’s status.

Griffin and the Redskins appear confident that he will be good to go to start the year. However, he says he’s being cautious as Washington begins training camp.

"No time to feel proud," RG3 texted Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY. "Just more work and winning to do."

The Redskins will begin the year with the first Monday Night Football game of 2013. They host the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by a trip to Green Bay in Week Two.