Robert Griffin III will return as Browns starting QB

The Cleveland Browns, who have gone through six different quarterbacks this season, are right back where they started. Head coach Hue Jackson named Robert Griffin III the starter in a Week 14 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns are still looking for their first win of 2016, but Griffin believes he can help close out the season on a high note.

“It’s just an opportunity to play in the NFL with a group of guys who don’t deserve to be 0-12,” Griffin said Monday after practice. “I just want to come in, give the team as much of a spark as I possibly can, have fun, and hopefully we can go 4-0.”

Griffin was cleared last week to practice with the Browns after tearing his collarbone in a Week 1 loss again the Philadelphia Eagles. He only completed 12 of his 21 passes in that game.

Griffin, who signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Browns as a free agent, wants to prove he has what it takes to be the starting quarterback in the future.

“I’m here to help this team, not just these last four weeks but into the future,” Griffin said. “At least that’s my hope and my wish.”

Now that Griffin will get the nod against a divisional foe in the Bengals, Jackson will evaluate the veteran dual-threat quarterback to see if he can be the team’s starting quarterback next season.

“I am always looking to see who is going to be on the team as we move forward every game we play,” Jackson said last week. “If he plays quarterback, yeah, we are evaluating him to see if he can be the quarterback.”

Griffin will have a chance to prove himself against the Bengals’ 22nd-ranked defense. If we wants to get Cleveland its first win of the season, Griffin must use his speed and athletic ability to extend plays with his legs, without taking unnecessary hits.

“I just got to play smart, protect myself,” he said.

Griffin has a history of injuries starting in his first year in the league. Washington traded up to draft him in 2012 with the No. 2 overall pick and he went on to become the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Then he suffered a gruesome knee injury in the playoffs and was never able to match the production of his first season.

The Browns’ offensive line has been a sieve all season, allowing an NFL-leading 45 sacks.

Griffin, though, said he wasn’t concerned about protection.

“I know those guys up front are fighting their tails off,” Griffin said. “It’s not just on them, it’s on all of us. We just got to execute better.”

The Browns also need to find success in the rushing attack to take some of the pressure of Griffin.

Last time the two AFC North rivals met, rookie Cody Kessler was under center for the Browns. He left the Week 7 matchup after sustaining a concussion and fellow rookie Kevin Hogan took over. Cincinnati won, 31-17.

Kessler will serve as Griffin’s backup this week.

The Bengals are coming off a big win against the Eagles while the Browns were on a bye last week.