RG3 Injury: How Long Will Redskins QB Be Out For? Will He Need Surgery?

By Anthony Riccobono | January 07 2013 4:27 PM

The Washington Redskins 2013 playoff run was cut short on Sunday night when they lost at home to the Seattle Seahawks. Washington took an early 14-0 lead, but failed to score after the first quarter.

Reuters

Washington Redskins starting quarterback Griffin III is helped off field by team trainers late in fourth quarter against Baltimore in Landover

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The Redskins season ended with Robert Griffin III leaving the contest prematurely, due to reinjuring his knee. The rookie went down, untouched, in the fourth quarter when he was unable to handle a snap. He stayed on the ground for several minutes, but was able to walk off under his own power.

A day later, the Redskins have been unable to determine the damage that was done to the quarterback’s knee, accoridng to a report by the Associated Press. An initial MRI was inconclusive because of an ACL tear that he suffered in 2009 at Baylor.

In Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens, Griffin suffered a knee sprain that forced him to miss the Redskins following game. Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews is a team doctor for the club, and expressed his concerns over Griffin playing in the contest. Now, Andrews will examine Griffin on Tuesday.

If Griffin does have a torn ACL, he could miss all of his sophomore season. The recovery time for such an injury requires surgery and rehab that could last between nine months and a year.

There is a precedent for a quicker recovery, however. Adrian Peterson was diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL in late 2011. The Minnesota Vikings running back returned to play every game of the 2012 season and is a leading candidate to win the MVP award.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has received much criticism over Griffin’s injury. The quarterback was noticeably limping for most of the game, but Shanahan kept him in over backup Kirk Cousins.