Griffin has Grade I LCL sprain

Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan updated the status of quarterback Robert Griffin III on Monday and said the rookie has a Grade I sprain of the lateral collateral ligament.

Griffin was hurt during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against Baltimore and tests later in the evening revealed a right knee sprain. Shanahan gave further details during a press conference Monday and said he won't know Griffin's status for next Sunday's game against Cleveland until later in the week.

"We're going to do what's in Robert's best interests, as well as the football team," Shanahan said Monday.

Whether the former Heisman Trophy winner could return to practice Wednesday, Shanahan added, "I really don't know."

Griffin suffered the injury while scrambling during Washington's eventual game-tying drive in a 31-28 overtime win over the Ravens. He briefly returned after one play to complete a pair of passes, including a 22-yarder to Pierre Garcon that brought Washington to the Baltimore 16 with around a minute left in regulation, but limped off for good after throwing the ball away while under pressure on the next snap.

Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins finished the game and would be the starter if Griffin is unable to play against the Browns. Cousins threw a TD pass and ran for the tying two-point conversion in regulation.

"To prepare yourself like he has, it didn't surprise me to succeed like he did," Shanahan said about Cousins on Monday.

Griffin went 15-of-26 for 246 yards and a touchdown before exiting on Sunday, while adding 34 rushing yards on seven attempts.

The 22-year-old Baylor product has started every game this season for Washington, which has vaulted back into playoff contention in the NFC by ripping off four consecutive victories.

Griffin has completed 68.5 percent of his throws with 10 touchdowns and just one interception over the course of Washington's current unbeaten run.

The Redskins are presently one game behind the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East and trail by the same margin in the race for the conference's two wild card berths.