The Sports Xchange

Quarterback Robert Griffin III is cleared to play Saturday night in the Washington Redskins’ preseason game at Baltimore.

Griffin was diagnosed with a shoulder stinger and concussion at Detroit last week. He was sacked three times in the span of five plays and lost a fumble on which he likely suffered the head injury when Lions defensive end Corey Wootton pounced on the pile and landed on Griffin.

Griffin is the subject of much debate in the D.C. region. A recent polled by ESPN showed fans overwhelmingly support Kirk Cousins as the starter over the second overall pick and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.

Griffin did not mesh well with first-year coach Jay Gruden last season. Their relationship has the appearance of a tough-love, player-coach aura and Gruden often withholds praise for his purported starter.

Redskins broadcast analyst Joe Theismann said this week that Saturday’s game is the “biggest of Griffin’s life.”

That might be mild hyperbole, but another poor outing behind an offensive line proven to be porous could spark further debate about the identity of the team’s starting quarterback entering the regular season.

Former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told ESPN Radio that Griffin must be more decisive in the pocket and do a better job of feeling pressure from the pass rush caving his protection.