Robert Griffin III returns to the starting lineup for the Washington Redskins Monday night as his team faces bitter rivals the Philadelphia Eagles to open up the new Monday Night Football season.
Griffin, who was knocked out of the NFC wild-card playoff game last season after tearing both the lateral collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee, looked sharp in practice after eight months of rehabilitation but did not play in any of the preseason games.
"He doesn't look rusty. The way he's looked in practice, he's looked like the old Robert, like he never hurt his knee,'' said backup Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to USA Today. "That's a credit to him, the rehab and his hard work. It's going to show on Monday night."
Also making his return to the starting lineup is linebacker Brian Orakpo, who suffered a pectoral tear in 2012, during the second game of the 2012-2013 season against the St. Louis Rams.
"He can do it all," said Washington head coach Mike Shanahan of Orakpo, according to Fox. "He's everything you look at in a Pro Bowl linebacker."
Monday night also marks the regular-season debut of new Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, who replaces Andy Reid, after a 14-year tenure with the franchise. Kelly will introduce his innovative, up-tempo offense that brought him great success at the University of Oregon.
Kelly has gone with veteran Michael Vick as his starting quarterback to run the high-octane offense, who beat out Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley for the job.
"I'll never forget when I was first watching film of [Kelly's offense this offseason], and Ron Jaworski texted me and said 'You're going to love this offense because there are guys running wide open all over the place,'" said Vick, according to SI.com. "It's been different, but it's been really fun. It just feels like you're at an advantage out there.''
Also making his regular-season debut is Mike McCoy, as head coach of the San Diego Chargers, whose team will host the Houston Texans in the second game of the Monday Night Football double-header.
McCoy's transition from Denver Broncos offensive coordinator to Chargers head coach has not been smooth due to the injuries his team has sustained to players such as outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (torn ACL), wide receiver Danario Alexander (torn ACL), wide receiver Malcolm Floyd (sprained knee), wide receiver Eddie Royal (bruised lung and concussion) and rookie Manti Te'o (sprained foot).
"It's part of the game," said McCoy, according to Fox. "It's the unfortunate part when you lose the guys we've lost, but it's an opportunity for the other guys to step up."
The Houston Texans start the season with expectations of going further in the playoffs after two consecutive years of postseason appearances. All-Pro J.J. Watts would not have it any other way.
"Expectations are extremely high and that's the way they should be," said Watts, according to Fox. "You should, every single day, attack it like the highest of the high expectation and you should expect to be great. If you're coming out here just hoping for a decent season, you're coming out here for the wrong reasons. You don't want to go to the dance and sit on the sideline. You want to get out there and move a little bit."
Live Television Coverage
Monday Night Football's Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Redskins coverage can be seen on ESPN with coverage beginning 6:55 PM EST. Monday Night Football's Washington Houston Texans-San Diego Chargers can be seen on ESPN with coverage beginning at 10:15 PM EST.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
