Colt McCoy still preparing to start for Redskins, but RG3 a 'wild card'

ASHBURN, Va. — Colt McCoy is preparing to start at quarterback for the Washington Redskins on Monday night at the Dallas Cowboys. But Washington coach Jay Gruden classified injured starter Robert Griffin III as a "wild card" possibility after Wednesday's practice.

Griffin, who suffered a dislocated left ankle six weeks ago in the second game of the season, worked out in black, high-topped shoes. He showed no discomfort dropping back, throwing or making handoffs during the early individual drills that were open to news reporters.

Gruden hopes to know by the end of practice Thursday whether Griffin is ready to return. Barring that unlikely possibility, McCoy will get his first start since 2011, when he played for the Cleveland Browns.

So in addition to preparing for the division-leading Cowboys (6-1) on Monday Night Football, is it a distraction for McCoy to have to deal with the uncertainly about Griffin's status?

"My focus is I'm just going to prepare to start. There's nothing else I can do. The decision is not up to me. What I can control is what I can control," said McCoy, a former four-year starter for the University of Texas.

McCoy came off the bench to replace struggling Kirk Cousins in the second half of Sunday's 19-17 victory against the Tennessee Titans. McCoy hit 11 of 12 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown and led the winning field goal drive at the finish. So Cousins goes back to the bench after five starts for the Redskins (2-5).

Last week, Griffin returned to individual drills and took part in a few team drills late in the week. Gruden said RG3, who was not available to reporters, also did team work Wednesday with various units.

"He looked good. We'll find out from the trainers how he feels right now, and tomorrow morning will be the big thing. Another day's work tomorrow, and we'll see how he progresses," Gruden said.

Then the coach probably will have a decision to make.

"Just because I want, A, the team to know who the quarterback is; B, the quarterback to know who the quarterback is; and C, we know for game-planning purposes," Gruden said.

The verdict won't just hinge on Griffin's ankle and whether the medical staff gives him clearance.

"It's not so much much watching him run. I think he feels OK running right now," Gruden said. "It's about how he feels tomorrow, and there are certain movements — rolling out to the right, rolling out to the left, cutting back. And we've got to see how he handles that.

"But the big thing is getting him comfortable in the pocket and throwing the ball, getting his timing down. There's a lot of that that has to take place also."

Griffin's return could very well be delayed another week or more.

"I'm in no rush today to make a crazy decision," Gruden said. "If we have to wait for another week or another two weeks (going into a bye week) … then so be it."

During his two seasons as a starter in Cleveland, McCoy threw 20 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. Last season with the San Francisco 49ers, he threw and completed one pass for 13 yards. He signed as a free agent with Washington in April.

During his college career, McCoy threw 112 touchdown passes for the Longhorns and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2008.

"We know that in college he was one of the most successful quarterbacks to play," Gruden said. "We know he's got talent, he was on the streets, and we needed a third quarterback in training camp.

"He was a perfect fit. I always liked the way he played, his accuracy, his toughness."

McCoy was asked if he's a different quarterback than he was in Cleveland.

"I would say I'm older (28), maybe a little bit stronger, and I think I learned from a lot of my past experiences, and I've watched a lot of the quarterbacks play," he said.

"And hopefully by doing that, you naturally gain a little bit of confidence in your understanding what is happening."

He understands the demand to see him play again in Texas will be high.

"I was going to need a few tickets," McCoy said. "Now it's turned into a laundry list.

"I'm excited about going back to Dallas. It's going to be a lot of fun."

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Follow Gary Mihoces on Twitter @ByGaryMihoces