The Sports Xchange

Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan announced Monday the team will pick up quarterback Robert Griffin III’s fifth-year option for the 2016 season.

Griffin is set to make nearly $16 million next year. He has been named the starter heading into 2015 training camp.

McCloughan wouldn’t say Griffin is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Redskins. The Redskins have the fifth pick in this week’s draft and McCloughan told The Washington Post that picking up the 2016 option “does not affect our draft process.” He said the team would use its first-round pick on the best available player and that a quarterback could be considered.

–One week after being a no-show for Pittsburg’s voluntary workouts, Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown took part in Monday’s workouts.

Brown is coming off a record-setting season with 129 catches and 1,698 receiving yards. He wants to renegotiate his $42.5 million contract, which he signed in 2012. Brown has three years left on the deal.

–The St. Louis Rams will exercise the 2016 contract option for defensive tackle Michael Brockers, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The Rams also decided against picking up the $8.263 million option of safety Mark Barron, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Barron’s $2.363 million salary in 2015 is guaranteed.

–The Philadelphia Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on defensive end Fletcher Cox.

Cox, the 12th overall pick by the Eagles in 2012, will receive $7.8 million in 2016. The amount is guaranteed for injury until the start of the 2016 league year, when it will become fully guaranteed.

–Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy is appealing his 10-game suspension and has asked for a neutral arbitrator.

Commissioner Roger Goodell cited “sufficient credible evidence that Hardy engaged in conduct that violated NFL policies in multiple respects and with aggravating circumstances” when announcing the suspension on Wednesday.

Goodell was referring to a 2014 domestic-violence case, which was dismissed after Hardy’s accuser decided not to cooperate with prosecutors.

–The Buffalo Bills waived cornerback Jonte Green.

A sixth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2012, Green played in 24 games for the Lions in 2012 and 2013. He was out of the NFL in 2014. The Bills had signed him in January.

–The New York Giants waived running back Michael Cox.

Cox, who played two seasons for the Giants, suffered a fractured leg on Nov. 9 in Seattle. In two years, Cox played in 18 games with one start. His totals included 26 rushing attempts for 76 yards.

–The Indianapolis Colts announced that restricted free agent inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman signed his qualifying offer.

Last season, the 28-year-old Freeman ranked second on the team with 144 tackles — 78 solo tackles.

— Cornerback Tony Carter, a restricted free agent, signed his one-year, $1.54 million tender with the Denver Broncos.

Carter played in a reserve role last season behind Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby.

— The Green Bay Packers announced that they will retire former quarterback Brett Favre’s number at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night against the Chicago Bears.

The team also said longtime general manager Ron Wolf will be honored Nov. 15 against the Detroit Lions. He will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Favre will be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame on July 18 and last year postponed a ceremony at Lambeau Field due to health concerns for longtime Packers quarterback Bart Starr.