

Washington Coach Jay Gruden, left, and Washington quarterback Colt McCoy (16) during practice at Redskins Park in Ashburn VA, December 10, 2014 (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

With Colt McCoy’s mobility hampered by a sprained neck after Sunday’s loss to St. Louis, Coach Jay Gruden said he spoke early in the week with Redskins President Bruce Allen and his staff about which quarterback should start this weekend against the New York Giants. But with McCoy making significant strides in his mobility from Tuesday to Wednesday, Gruden said he felt that McCoy represented the best choice.

All that remained in confirming McCoy’s starting status was a final doctor’s appointment Friday, which Gruden characterized as an extra precaution to ensure that he wouldn’t risk injuring his neck further by playing at MetLife Stadium.

“He’s going to get hit eventually in this game,” Gruden said of McCoy. “So we’ve just got to make sure he’s okay, can withstand the punishment of maybe getting hit in the back, getting jarred in the back and just make sure he has got the full range of motion.”

McCoy took all the first-team reps during practice Friday, with the team working out for a third consecutive day in the climate-controlled indoor facility despite the fact that they’ll play Sunday in an open-air stadium.

“He threw the ball well and didn’t have any issues whatsoever,” Gruden said.

Asked what he felt made McCoy, 28, the obvious choice over Robert Griffin III or Kirk Cousins, Gruden cited several factors.

“I think his decision-making right now is probably the best,” Gruden said. “He has been in the NFL as a quarterback the longest, with his experience factor. I think his ability to see coverage, get the ball out, I think probably sets him just ahead of the other guys by just a little bit.

“He still has the mobility, obviously. He’s a tough guy. He’s a good leader, and players respond to him.”

Washington, at 3-10, is alone in the cellar of the NFC East, with the Giants at 4-9.

The Giants manhandled Washington 45-14 when the teams met at FedEx Field on Sept. 25. Eli Manning threw for 300 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, while Cousins, who had taken over for the injured Griffin in Week 2, threw four interceptions, lost one fumble and was sacked twice.

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