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The Washington Redskins went on the road and got a 38-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. For the first time this season, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III did not play. Griffin was not even active as the team held him out of action to rest his sprained right knee.
After the game Griffin said:
"Players play, so I was not happy with the decision," Griffin said flatly. "But at the end of the day, that's the decision they went with. I respect that, but it doesn't mean I necessarily have to like it."
Griffin also said he was told by the team that they were "protecting me from myself" while head coach Mike Shanahan said that team doctors did not feel Griffin's knee was ready for a game. Griffin was pleased with the victory calling it "huge" and admitted he "got healthier by not playing."
Griffin's fellow rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins got his first NFL start for Washington on Sunday and guided the offense to 430 total yards in the win. Cousins was 26-of-37 passing in the game for 329 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Cousins even had 22 rushing yards on three carries against the Browns.
Griffin has gone 7-6 as a starter this season and entered Sunday fifth in the NFL in completion percentage and first in rushing yards.