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Browns QB Robert Griffin III cleared for contact, could play after bye

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Browns' Robert Griffin III warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Griffin has been sidelined with a broken bone in his left shoulder since in the season opener at Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)
By Tom Withers Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio – 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.

Griffin signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Browns in March. The Browns will have four games to evaluate the 26-year-old RG3 and decide whether to bring him back as their starter in 2017.