Griffin watches with Redskins resting 8 starters in edging Titans 22-21 in preseason opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Robert Griffin III handled the coin toss, and Kirk Cousins picked up where he left off last season filling in at quarterback for Washington.

Cousins threw for a touchdown and missed only one pass as the Redskins edged the Tennessee Titans 22-21 Thursday night in their preseason opener.

The Redskins sat eight starters, including Griffin, who warmed up and was on the field dressed. Cousins looked sharp in Griffin's place, completing six of seven passes for 52 yards and a TD for a 137.2 passer rating in two series for the defending NFC East champs.

The Titans showed off their revamped run game as Chris Johnson scored on a 58-yard burst. Tennessee had 92 yards rushing and a 14-7 lead after the first quarter; Shonn Greene added a 19-yard TD run.

Pat White scored on a 9-yard TD run with 2:23 left and found Emmanuel Ogbuehi for the 2-point conversion to avoid overtime.

Redskins sitting out included tackle Barry Cofield, cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson, and safety Brandon Meriwether, who's recovering from knee surgery. Washington started three rookies in the secondary, safety Bacarri Rambo, safety Phillip Thomas and cornerback David Amerson.

The Redskins' caution proved smart when Thomas hurt his foot on a run by Greene and didn't return. Receiver Donte' Stallworth also hurt his left hamstring and did not finish, while linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough hurt his right shoulder with 2 minutes left.

"He's come back like a hungry wild animal, so Orakpo's going to be back to his Pro Bowl ways," Cofield said on the Redskins' broadcast.

Cousins may wind up starting all four preseason games as the Redskins work to make sure Griffin is ready for the opener Sept. 9 against Philadelphia.

The quarterback who played in four games himself as a rookie last year, including the playoff loss to Seattle, was efficient and at his best in his second and final drive. He drove the Redskins 64 yards in seven plays and capped his night with a 3-yard toss to tight end Fred Davis all alone at the back of the end zone to put Washington up 7-0.

Rex Grossman followed Cousins, and he added an 8-yard TD to Leonard Hankerson just before halftime.

Jake Locker looked better for Tennessee in his preseason debut than a year ago. He was 7 of 11 for 58 yards and a 77.1 passer rating. But he was sacked twice, and the Titans went three-and-out on the opening drive.

Revamping the offensive line was the top priority for Tennessee this offseason. The Titans signed left guard Andy Levitre and drafted right guard Chance Warmack at No. 10 overall. With coach Mike Munchak wanting a run-first offense out of new coordinator Dowell Loggains, they also signed Greene to a three-year deal.

Johnson, who has 14 plays of 50 yards or longer in his career, took a handoff and went left. With only Rambo between him and the end zone, Johnson gave a little wiggle and surged right for the TD.

"When I got through the line, it was either the corner or the safety, and I just gave him a move," Johnson said. "My offensive line, they got a great push on it, and they pushed those guys to the right side and gave me a cutback lane."

Greene ran well, too, including a fourth-and-1 conversion; the Titans' offense ranked last in time of possession last season.