It took a late-game Colt McCoy neck strain for Robert Griffin III to get back on the field for the Washington Redskins in Sunday's 24-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
With the game no longer in doubt and McCoy struggling mightily to move the offense, Griffin came on for five fruitless plays over the final two minutes.
McCoy was ineffective Sunday, but Jay Gruden told WRC-TV that the quarterback will start if healthy. McCoy's health is a big if, though. He clearly was in pain and in a hurry to get to a hospital for further evaluation, according to ESPN's John Keim.
Here's what else we learned on Sunday:
- The Around The NFL Podcast has dubbed the Rams the best 5-7 team in NFL history. Now they are the best 6-7 team, thanks to a swarming defense that is first in the NFL in takeaways and second in sacks over the past six weeks. They dominated this game, recording two interceptions, seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits en route to the franchise's first back-to-back shutouts since the 1945 Cleveland Rams. This roster is a franchise quarterback away from contending for the NFC West in 2015.
- Colt McCoy is who we thought he was. He has struggled out of the gate in every game he has started this season. Redskins fans actually started an "RGIII" chant after Tavon Austin's 78-yard punt-return touchdown staked the Rams to a 24-0 lead late in the third quarter. We have been saying for three weeks that Jay Gruden should be playing Kirk Cousins, but none of the quarterback options is particularly appetizing. That doesn't speak well of Gruden, who was brought in to fix the offense.
- Ryan Kerrigan might not get the recognition because he plays on a miserable team, but he's enjoying a Pro Bowl-caliber season. He already has a career-high 11.5 sacks and spent the afternoon putting a clownsuit on Rams right tackle Joseph Barksdale. Kerrigan is the lone bright spot on a defense that has become known for blown coverages.
- Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is finally getting creative with his use of Tavon Austin. Although Austin has been a non-factor as a wide receiver, he piled up a season-high 46 rushing yards on five carries Sunday, putting his season total at 341.
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