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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NFL notes: RG3 benched, Redskins to start Colt McCoy vs. Indy

Jay Gruden says he’s starting Colt McCoy over Robert Griffin III on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Washington Redskins coach told Colts reporters on a conference call Wednesday that Griffin “just needs a little more time” to master the team’s offensive scheme.

Griffin’s benching is the latest development in a stunning slide for the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Redskins are 0-3 since Griffin returned from an ankle injury and have scored only one touchdown in each of the last two games.

Smith back in for Jets

The New York Jets have announced that Geno Smith will get the start at quarterback over Michael Vick for the game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Vick had started the Jets’ last three games, but struggled against Buffalo before being replaced by Smith in the 38-3 loss in Detroit.

Around the league

Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness for striking an opponent at New England on Sunday. … Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick says he’ll start for the Houston Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans with Ryan Mallett out for the season. … The Tennessee Titans have signed outside linebacker Kaelin Burnett off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. … The Indianapolis Colts have claimed outside linebacker Shaun Phillips off waivers from the Tennessee Titans. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound pass rusher played nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, then signed with the Denver Broncos last season and joined the Titans this year. Last year he led the Broncos with 10 sacks.