Robert Griffin III might get a chance to lead the Cleveland Browns to their first win of the 2016 season, after all.
The quarterback will return to practice next week, coach Hue Jackson told reporters Friday, opening the door for a return to action nearly three months after he broke a bone in his left shoulder in the season opener Sept. 11.
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Jackson said at a news conference (via ESPN) that Griffin still has not been cleared for contact, but that could happen after a scheduled exam next week.
Griffin signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Browns this spring after being cut loose by the Redskins, who drafted him No. 2 overall in 2012. There were high hopes for a resurgence after a miserable end to his time in Washington, but the injury in Week 1 against the Eagles derailed those thoughts.
It's impossible to tell whether having Griffin in the meantime would have made a difference, but the Browns have been miserable since he left, with Josh McCown and rookie Cody Kessler still winless in the ensuing nine games.
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Kessler will start Sunday against the Steelers, and Cleveland hosts the Giants the following week before getting its bye. It would seem to make the most sense for Griffin to return after that, Dec. 11 at home against the Bengals, assuming he's ready.
