Robert Griffin III due to start running

Robert Griffin III's father has said that the Washington Redskins' quarterback is expected to be given clearance to start running within the next week.

The NFL offensive rookie of the year faces a battle to be fit for the start of the 2013 season, having undergone knee ligament surgery at the end of the 2012 campaign.

Robert Griffin Jr told the Washington Post: "He's been running in the pool, and some on the treadmill. But they're just about ready to take it out on the field."

Griffin tore his anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and meniscus during the Redskins' playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks in January.