Robert Griffin III Injury: Browns QB Cleared to Start vs. Steelers in Week 17

Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered a concussion in Week 16 against the San Diego Chargers but has since been cleared to return.

On Friday, Browns head coach Hue Jackson announced Griffin will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Browns confirmed the injury late in the second half on Dec. 24, and Cody Kessler took over under center. On Thursday, the Browns announced Griffin saw an independent neurologist and was cleared. He returned to practice later in the day, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

It's been an injury-ravaged season for Griffin, who already suffered a shoulder injury during a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. As a result, the Browns placed him on injured reserve before their Week 2 game, and he didn't play again until Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Injuries also hampered Griffin when he was in Washington. While he was one of the league's most electrifying players as a rookie in 2012, a knee injury in the postseason cut into his long-term effectiveness. He eventually lost the starting role to Kirk Cousins and didn't play a single game in 2015.

Griffin did show flashes of great potential as a rookie, tallying 3,200 passing yards, 815 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns with just five interceptions on his way to a Pro Bowl nod and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, he played in just nine contests in 2014—his last game action before this season—posting four touchdown passes and six interceptions.