After months of speculation, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is set to make his season debut on Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kickoff is at 6:55 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE or tune to ESPN.
The media craze around Griffin rivals Tebowmania at its prime. Eight months removed from his ACL injury in the playoff loss against Seattle, Dr. James Andrews and coach Mike Shanahan believe Griffin is ready to play.
"You're always trying to take a look at what's in the best interest of your football team, obviously the health of your football team as well," Shanahan said, via ESPN. "But if we didn't feel like Robert was full-go, and he was ready to play and do all the things that you ask a guy to do, he would not be playing in this game.
"We believe he can do everything that a quarterback is asked to do."
Griffin was dynamic on the field last year. Along with then-rookie running back Alfred Morris, Griffin helped turn the mediocre franchise into a playoff team. He broke the rookie-record quarterback rating with 102.4 and earned the NFL Rookie of the Year award.
A big question is whether the Redskins will dial down the read-option plays in favor of keeping Griffin from taking unnecessary hits.
While the spotlight will be on Griffin, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be mounting his own comeback of sorts. The 33-year-old is looking to bounce back from a dismal season and flourish under the fast-paced system of new coach Chip Kelly.
As the NFL becomes a league of mobile quarterbacks, Vick plans to show he still has elite speed with his legs.
"I'm going to have the opportunity to do what I want to do in this offense and run the football," Vick said, via ESPN. "And yes, I will be a threat. I think you've got to take on a certain mindset that you're going to play the game all-out."
