Robert Griffin III played two series in the Redskins-Browns preseason opener Thursday night, completing 4-of-8 passes and taking a bunch of stiff shots after delivering those throws.
The Redskins got three points to show for his work. Pierre Garcon dropped what might have been a touchdown and certainly would have been a gain of 40-plus yards on the first drive after getting behind Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert.
Griffin’s pass was on the money, too, but Garcon didn’t finish the play. That drive ended when Griffin really had no one open on third down and tried to force one to rookie Evan Spence.
On the second drive Grffin completed a pass for no gain on a third and one but Alfred Morris kept the drive alive on fourth down. The Redskins settled for a field goal after that; on a third down miss Griffin took a big shot from blitzing Browns cornerback K’Waun Williams.
Griffin finished with 36 passing yards, all of those coming on three completions to Ryan Grant.
The Redskins lost tight end Niles Paul to injury late in the first quarter. He was carted off with a left leg injury after being rolled up on by Browns linebacker Craig Robertson. Trainers immediately placed an air cast on Paul.
Paul had the best season of his career with 39 catches last year. The Redskins held their other two veteran tight ends, Jordan Reed and Logan Paulsen, out of the game with injuries.
