Redskins' Jay Gruden: 'Intent' is for QB Robert Griffin III to start vs. Colts

Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said the "intent" is for quarterback Robert Griffin III to start Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Gruden and Griffin have had a contentious relationship this season.

Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said the "intent" is for quarterback Robert Griffin III to start Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, according to the Associated Press.

Gruden said the coaching staff needs to review the reasons for the offense's struggles before making a final decision about who will start at quarterback.

It was reported before Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers that Gruden was prepared to bench Griffin in favor of backup Colt McCoy if Griffin wasn't playing well against San Francisco. Griffin ended up playing the entire game and completed 11 of 19 passes for 106 yards.

That report followed a contentious week in Gruden publicly criticized Griffin for the latter's comments that appeared to call out his teammates. Gruden later said it was a "mistake" on his part to criticize Griffin to the media.

Griffin's leadership and play have come under fire this season, and the Redskins are just 3-8 through the season's first 11 games. Griffin dislocated his ankle in Week 2 and has played in just three games since, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions and losing each game.

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McCoy has played in two games this season, both of which were Redskins wins. He replaced fellow backup Kirk Cousins when Cousins was benched in Washington's Week 7 game against the Tennessee Titans. McCoy started the following week's game against the Dallas Cowboys, leading the team to a road upset of Dallas.

After making the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in 2012, Griffin struggled in his second year while coming back from a torn ACL, throwing 16 touchdowns to 12 interceptions as the Redskins dropped from 10 wins in 2012 to three wins in 2013.

The Redskins selected Griffin with the second pick in the 2012 NFL draft, trading three first-round picks and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for the No. 2 pick. 

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Washington is currently tied for last place in the NFC East.

- Ben Estes