Robert Griffin III returns to Redskins practice

Robert Griffin III returned to practice Wednesday for the Washington Redskins, and Coach Jay Gruden confirmed that the third-year quarterback will regain the starter’s job this season.

Griffin threw passes in individual and one-on-one drills in his first such work since he dislocated his left ankle in Week 2.

“Once they say he’s healthy and he practices with us, and we feel like he’s ready to go mentally and we have a good game plan for him, then he’ll be the starter,” Gruden said. “But I don’t know when that will be yet.”

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Dallas Cowboys right tackle Doug Free will sit out up to a month because of a broken right foot, and linebacker Bruce Carter is expected to miss his third straight game because of a thigh injury. The Cowboys play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Dallas running back Joseph Randle said he made a “huge mistake” when he was arrested Monday on a shoplifting charge that led to a fine from the Cowboys, but no suspension.

Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett said Randle would be fined “significantly” but would play Sunday.

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Colin Kaepernick’s $11,025 fine for an inappropriate-language penalty was reduced in half upon appeal, with the league “specifically admitting” it had no evidence he used a racial slur, according to a league source.

The 49ers quarterback has maintained he did not say anything racially derogatory toward Chicago Bears defensive lineman Lamarr Houston since drawing that penalty in a Sept. 14 loss.

The league upheld half of his fine because of “general profane language” in response to a taunt by Houston after an interception, the source said.

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The Seattle Seahawks will be without middle linebacker Bobby Wagner for at least a couple of weeks after a turf toe injury suffered last Sunday against Dallas.

Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said that Wagner, starting center Max Unger (foot) and starting tight end Zach Miller (ankle surgery) would sit out the game Sunday game at St. Louis.

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Tennessee Titans tight end Craig Stevens had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn quadriceps tendon, and Coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team probably will place the veteran on injured reserve by the end of the week.

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The NFL has fined Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict $25,000 for his actions during a game against the Carolina Panthers, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.

Burfict received two personal foul penalties during a 37-37 tie on Sunday. He also angered the Panthers by twisting the ankles of quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen after they were tackled.