GRIFFIN EXITS WITH LEFT ANKLE INJURY; DESEAN JACKSON INJURES SHOULDER
The Washington Redskins had little trouble taking care of business against the Jacksonville Jaguars, winning easily, 41-10. Unfortunately, it came at a cost, as Robert Griffin III exited the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury and Desean Jackson injured his shoulder. Neither returned to the game.
Kirk Cousins took over for the injured Griffin and hit his first 12 passes, finishing 22 of 33 for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
After a promising start, with Griffin gaining yardage on a pair of read-option keepers, the mobile QB was forced to scramble to his right. He tried to make an awkward throw and when he planted on his left ankle, it rolled on him. In obviously pain, he was tended to on the sidelines before taken by cart to the locker room. He did not return to the sidelines.
During the game, there was speculation that Griffin may have dislocated or broken his ankle. Either way, he will miss considerable time. [UPDATE: After the game, the team said it was a dislocation and Griffin would have an MRI early Monday to reveal the extent of the damage]
On the next series, Jackson ran a crossing route and landed hard on his left shoulder.
As for the business on the field, it was all Redskins.
Washington outgained the Jaguars 449-148, including 191-25 on the ground.
The defense was special against a weak Jacksonville offensive line, registering 10 sacks to tie a team record – including four from Ryan Kerrigan – and pressuring QB Chad Henne all day.
Cousins was excellent right off the bat, hitting on his first 12 passes. After taking over for Griffin, Cousins led the team on a 7-play, 76-yard drive, completed by a touchdown pass to Darrel Young in the flat.
There was much more goodness to come.
Drives of 66- and 92-yards resulted in a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs by Alfred Morris (22 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns).
Jacksonville finally got on the board just before halftime. Baccarri Rambo took a bad route for a pick and was burned for a 63-yard touchdown pass from Chad henne to Marcedes Lewis. But that was the only highlight of the day for the Jaguars.
In the third, a short field after a 37-yard punt return by Andre Roberts resulted in a 35-yard field goal by Kai Forbath.
The Redskins added another touchdown in the fourth quarter, as an 11-play, 65-yard drive resulted in a 2-yard scoring catch by Niles Paul, who had a career day with eight catches for 99 yards.
Forbath tacked on a 42-yard field goal to make it 34-7 and while running out the ball late in the fourth, third string back Silas Redd ran for a 14-yard touchdown, the first of his NFL career.
REDSKINS NOTES: In addition to Griffin and Jackson, Roy Helu, Darrel Young and Sean Lauvao all left the game with injuries and did not return.