Browns place Robert Griffin III on IR with fractured bone in shoulder
The Cleveland Browns turned to Robert Griffin III during the offseason to solve their long-standing quarterback problems, but that solution may have lasted just one game.
Griffin was placed on injured reserve Monday, according to the team, after he suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left (non-throwing) shoulder.
Griffin, 26, beat out Josh McCown for the starting job in training camp but completed only 12 of 26 passes and threw one interception in the Browns’ 29-10 Sunday loss to Philadelphia.
Surgery is not required, and Griffin will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, but a player placed on injured reserve must miss at least eight games. Each team can designate one player to return from IR, and it’s possible Griffin could be that player, but he’s signed only to a two-year deal worth $15 million, and the team could decide to move on from him after the season.
Coach Hue Jackson issued a statement to the team’s website:
McCown, 37, has a 18-39 career record as a starter and was 1-7 with the Browns last season. He completed 63.7 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2015, totaling 2,109 yards through the air. Rookie Cody Kessler figures to be McCown's backup for the time being.
