James Andrews will examine Robert Griffin III Thursday in Tampa

Orthopedist James Andrews and Robert Griffin III shake hands while on the sideline during the Redskins-Steelers game Monday. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

Robert Griffin III on Thursday will have another checkup with orthopedist James Andrews, possibly the final one before the surgeon makes his recommendation on whether or not the Redskins should clear the quarterback for Week 1.

Coach Mike Shanahan said that Andrews, who is based in Gulf Breeze, Fla., will join the Redskins in Tampa for their preseason finale against the Buccaneers. At some point that day, Andrews will give Griffin another examination. It’s believed he will then make a recommendation about Griffin’s playing status for the Sept. 9 season opener.

● Related: Several Redskins think Week 1 clearance is ‘a done deal’

“I know Dr. Andrews will sit down and evaluate Robert and probably just give us his recommendation. I’m sure very similar to what he did last game,” Shanahan said. “Sometime Thursday, I don’t know when it’s going to be. I haven’t talked to [Andrews] yet. Either before or after the game, but I’m sure it will be sometime Thursday because he’ll be at the game.”

Andrews on Aug. 19 examined Griffin after watching him go through a 90-minute workout prior to Washington’s preseason game against Pittsburgh. It was the first time Andrews had seen Griffin since clearing him for the start of training camp in late July.

After that checkup, Andrews told Griffin to “stay the course,” and told Shanahan that if the quarterback’s progress continued on the same pattern, he expected him to be ready for Week 1.

Griffin has taken all of the first-team reps in the past two weeks of practice, and teammates believe that he will open the season as their starter. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Griffin “looks 100 percent to me,” and Mike Shanahan said Griffin has made great strides since training camp began.

“I can see a big improvement from the start when he came out here the first day to where he is now,” Mike Shanahan said. “You can see he is in football shape and there hasn’t been a setback so everything has been very positive.”

Have a Redskins question? E-mail Mike Jones at mike.jones@washpost.com with the subject line “Mailbag question” for him to answer it in The Mailbag.

What’s ahead:

● The Redskins do not practice on Wednesday, and play at 7:30 in Tampa on Thursday.

● The second round of cuts, due by 4 p.m. Saturday, requires rosters to go from 75 to 53.

More about the Redskins:

Pat White scheduled to play the entire game in Tampa

Trueblood, Muckelroy, Mouton, Ashworth complete first round of cuts

The Early Lead: Ravens banners go up in Denver in anticipation of opener

Video: Which Redskins could be cut? | Guess the Redskins’ practice squad

D.C. Sports Bog: Man behind the Redskins coats | Can RGIII run 4.3? | More Bog

RB Morris hasn’t forgotten where he was a year ago