Cleveland Browns could start Robert Griffin III against Cincinnati Bengals

CLEVELAND, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Robert Griffin III was cleared for contact last week, now he could return to a starting gig for the Cleveland Browns.

ESPN's Pat McManamon reported Monday that "all signs point" to Griffin starting at quarterback.

"Hue Jackson has not named him the starter for Sunday's game against the Bengals, but all signs point to Griffin trying to be the guy to get the Browns' first win -- provided he makes it through practice and looks like he has shaken off three months of rust from not playing," McManamon wrote.

The winless Browns placed Griffin on injured reserve on Sep. 12 due to a broken bone in his non-throwing shoulder. Griffin, 26, completed 12-of-27 passes for 190 yards and an interception in his only game for the Browns.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed the report by saying there is a "real chance" that Griffin gets the Week 14 start against the Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported last week that he expects Griffin to "keep the job for the rest of the season."

"They looked at Robert Griffin as more than just a one year quarterback for them," Garafolo reported. "He signed a two-year deal, but there was nothing guaranteed in that second year so a lot of people thought this was a placeholder for a team that's going to have a high draft pick. 'They are going to draft a quarterback then he'll be gone and move on,' but they didn't view it that way. They thought that this could be a guy that they could buy into for the long-term, or at least the shorter long-term. And maybe draft a guy that plays behind him and see what they have in him. Frankly, they have four quarters of football right now. That's all they have, so once he gets in there, you are going to want to see the body of work."

"I would say, yes," Garafolo reported. "That once he gets in there, he will keep the job for the rest of the season."

Griffin's two-year deal is for $15 million, with $6.75 guaranteed. He is due $6 million next season, with a $1.5 million roster bonus before hitting free agency in 2018.

The Browns [0-12] host the Bengals at 1 p.m. Sunday. Dec. 11 at FirstEnergy Stadium.