Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III has been cleared for contact, paving the way for him to play again this season.
Griffin has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left shoulder late in the Sept. 11 opener against Philadelphia. He returned to practice last week, but still had to pass another medical test to make sure his injury had healed enough to absorb hits.
The Browns (0-12) have a bye this week, but Griffin will likely start the Dec. 11 game against Cincinnati. Browns coach Hue Jackson could go back to rookie Cody Kessler, but he sustained his second concussion of the season on Nov. 20 and only completed the concussion protocol on Monday.
The Browns signed Griffin to a two-year deal and would probably like to use these four games to see if he's worth bringing back as the team's starter in 2017. After trading away the number-two overall pick this past draft, and not really seeing any answers at the QB position, one would have to think the team needs to draft a QB next spring regardless of bringing back Griffin in 2017.