Benched Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was a man of few words Thursday when asked for his reaction to Colt McCoy being announced as the team’s starter.

“Coach’s decision,” Griffin said. “I’m here to help this team win.”

Coach Jay Gruden announced Tuesday that McCoy would start ahead of Griffin on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Griffin spoke for 40 seconds while walking to the locker room after practice Thursday, repeating himself by saying, “Like I said, coach’s decision.”

The third-year quarterback refused to speak with the media on Wednesday about his demotion but appeared to be upset.

–Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is dealing with considerable pain in his surgically repaired knee that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Clowney has yet to practice this week, and he said he will test the knee before game time to determine whether he’ll be able to play.

Clowney played 49 snaps last week had three tackles and one for loss against the Cincinnati Bengals but said the knee was hurting before the game.

Texans running back Arian Foster, who missed the past two games with a groin injury, is expected to return Sunday, coach Bill O’Brien said.

–Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte sustained an eye injury during the first quarter of Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Earlier this season, Conte dealt with a concussion, and he sat out a game last month with a shoulder injury. Conte has three interceptions this season, boosting his career total to nine in four years.

Bears defensive end Cornelius Washington left the game due to a chest injury.

–Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson reached 10,000 receiving yards faster than any player in NFL history, breaking the record during the first half of Thursday’s game against the Bears.

The 29-year-old Johnson made it to the milestone in his 115th NFL game. Former St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Torry Holt previously was the fastest to attain 10,000 yards, getting there in his 116th game.

–The San Francisco 49ers activated tight end Garrett Celek from injured reserve and elevated tight end Asante Cleveland to the active roster.

To clear roster space, the 49ers put tight end Derek Carrier on injured reserve with a foot problem and waived linebacker Chase Thomas.

Celek was on injured reserve since Aug. 25 after undergoing a back procedure during preseason camp. The former undrafted free agent played in 25 games the past two seasons for the 49ers and has six receptions for 89 yards.

–Cornerback Jalil Brown re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts, who waived cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy.

Brown played in 36 career games (two starts) with the Colts (2013-14) and Kansas City Chiefs (2011-12). He signed with the Colts Sept. 30, 2014, and appeared in two games this season.

Purifoy played in 11 games this season and totaled four tackles (three solo) and one pass defensed. He also contributed with five tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.

–Suspended indefinitely by the Big Ten, Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence said via Twitter he is ready for the NFL.

“Not what I wanted but now it’s time to get ready for the next level, I’ve learnt so much in the last couple months that it’s all worth it,” Spence tweeted after being told the Big Ten declared him permanently ineligible Wednesday.

Spence opted to appeal the Big Ten suspension rather than transferring to a FCS program to play in 2014. He was suspended Aug. 30

At 6-3, 252, he could be an outside linebacker in the NFL, according to NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler.

–Tension in nearby Ferguson, Mo., put the NFL and St. Louis Rams in contingency mode this week.

According to the Indianapolis Star, concession and public safety workers are on notice should Sunday’s Oakland Raiders-Rams game in St. Louis need to be relocated. The St. Louis Blues hosted a home game in downtown St. Louis the night after the grand jury decision was announced, and protesters snarled traffic and gathered in and around stadium entrances.

A league source told The Star a “remote possibility,” that Indianapolis could host the game Monday.