Griffin's injury may carry into next season
BY JOSEPH WHITE Associated Press
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 5:46 AM
ASHBURN, Va. - It doesn't sound good for Robert Griffin III.
An injury that sidelines RG3 well into next season is a very real possibility - or at least it seemed that way Monday after coach Mike Shanahan described the results of tests on the rookie's right knee.
Shanahan said the results are prompting the team to send Griffin to Florida on Tuesday to see renowned orthopedist James Andrews for more examinations, essentially a second opinion that will decide the team's fate for the 2013 season.
"There is a concern," Shanahan said. "That's why he's going to see him."
Griffin tore his ACL while playing for Baylor in 2009, and Shanahan said that old injury caused Griffin's latest MRI to prove inconclusive and produce "differences of opinion" in those who have looked at it.
"They want to take another look and have a physical exam with him," Shanahan said, "to make sure they're not looking at old injuries."
A torn ACL typically requires a rehabilitation period of nine to 12 months, although some players don't return to full health until their second season after the injury. On the other hand, one of this season's most remarkable stories was Adrian Peterson, who returned about eight months after tearing an ACL and nearly broke the NFL's single-season rushing record.
Notably, Shanahan referenced Peterson on Monday, pointing out that the Minnesota Vikings back had the big season without the benefit of an offseason practice program. It could be a possible scenario for Griffin.
Shanahan was grilled about his handling of Griffin's injury. Already playing with a heavy black brace in his third game since spraining a lateral collateral ligament, Griffin hurt the knee again when he fell awkwardly while throwing a pass in the first quarter of Sunday's 24-14 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Then, in the fourth quarter with the Redskins trailing by seven, the knee buckled the wrong way when Griffin tried to field a bad shotgun snap.
Shanahan said he thought he made the "right decisions" to keep Griffin in the game and that it would be "crazy" to think he would purposely sacrifice Griffin's career to win a game. He said in the first quarter he asked Griffin if he was OK, and Griffin said, "I'm fine."
Griffin was also feeling the criticism for not taking himself out. He did not appear in the locker room during the two hours it was open to reporters Monday morning and instead made his public statements via Twitter.
"Many may question, criticize & think they have all the right answers. But few have been in the line of fire in battle. ... When adversity strikes you respond in one of two ways. ... You step aside and give in. Or you step up and fight," Griffin tweeted.
Original Print Headline: Injury might affect Griffin next season
NFL Playoffs
Wild-card round
Jan. 5
Houston 19, Cincinnati 13
Green Bay 24, Minnesota 10
Jan. 6
Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 9
Seattle 24, Washington 14
Divisional round
SATURDAY
Baltimore at Denver, 3:30 p.m. (KOTV-6)
Green Bay at San Francisco, 7 p.m. (KOKI-5/23)
SUNDAY
Seattle at Atlanta, noon (KOKI-5/23)
Houston at New England, 3:30 p.m. (KOTV-6)
Associated Images:
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III sits on the bench after being injured during Sunday's game against Seattle. EVAN VUCCI / AP
|
