>>Kirk Cousins Named QB Starter in Washington

Completing a wild swing of events with the Washington Redskins quarterback situation, coach Jay Gruden confirmed the team would be going with Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1.

And beyond: Gruden also said Cousins is the starter "for 2015 moving forward." Gruden said it's not what Robert Griffin III didn't do, so much as what Cousins did do and called Cousins the best quarterback on our roster."

"I just think it's not so much what somebody didn't do, it's just what Kirk has done," Gruden said. "And I think what he's done in practice and OTAs is really opened our eyes. And he's proven to be the best quarterback on our roster at the time. It's a compliment to Kirk.

"I think Kirk has played so well he's earned the right."

The Redskins coach also confirmed that Griffin lost his job not because of injury -- Griffin is currently in the concussion protocol program -- but because of performance.

The quarterbacks are friendly as Cousins called Griffin a "class act."

>>Jaguars TE Thomas To Miss 4-5 Weeks

Earlier this month, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was optimistic that tight end Julius Thomas would recover from a fractured bone in his hand in time for the team's season opener. But according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who cites a source, Thomas' injury is expected to require surgery and he's expected to be out four to five weeks.

Schefter noted that Thomas will get a second opinion on Tuesday.

The Jaguars landed Thomas this offseason, giving him a five-year, $46 million contract, which includes $24 million in guaranteed money. Thomas, who had been catching passes from Peyton Manning in Denver, has racked up more than 100 receptions and 1,200 yards in the last two seasons combined. He's also managed to reach the end zone 24 times in that span, with 17 of those scores coming in the red zone.

With quarterback Blake Bortles entering his second season, Thomas is expected to play a big role in the Jaguars' offense. But in just the team's second offensive snap of this preseason, Thomas was flipped over by a Steelers defender and ended up with a hand injury. He hasn't seen the field since, and if Schefter's report remains true after Thomas gets a second opinion, then Bortles will be without his top tight end at the onset of the season. In Thomas' absence, expect more game action for tight ends Clay Harbor and Marcedes Lewis.

Thomas isn't the only Jaguars pass catcher currently hobbled. Second-year wide receiver Marqise Lee is working his way back from a hamstring strain and hasn't practiced since the fifth day of training camp, though the team is hopeful he'll be ready to go by Week 1.

Luckily for the Jaguars, Bortles has looked much improved this preseason. Against the Lions on Friday, a game played without Thomas, Bortles completed 20 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown.