Robert Griffin III has partial tears of ACL and LCL, MRI suggests

The Washington Post ^ | January 7, 2013 | Mark Maske and Mike Jones

[MinorityRepublican]

The MRI exam of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s right knee suggested that Griffin has suffered partial tears of his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, according to several people with knowledge of the test results.

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Griffin is scheduled to be examined Tuesday in Pensacola, Fla., by orthopedic surgeon James Andrews to determine whether the test results show new or previous injuries.

It was not immediately clear whether surgery would be required or how long Griffin would be sidelined if the partial ligament tears are determined to be fresh injuries. Griffin suffered a torn ACL in the same knee in 2009 while he was in college at Baylor, and has been playing in recent weeks with a mild sprain of the LCL.

One person with knowledge of the situation said Griffin might have to undergo exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the damage and whether the injuries are new. Another said Griffin hopes to avoid full-blown reconstructive surgery if the tears are partial, even if they are new injuries.

A third person familiar with the case, asked whether the ligament damage is new or a matter of previous injuries showing up on Griffin’s MRI, said: “That’s what we’re trying to find out.”It was not immediately clear whether surgery would be required or how long Griffin would be sidelined if the partial ligament tears are determined to be fresh injuries. Griffin suffered a torn ACL in the same knee in 2009 while he was in college at Baylor, and has been playing in recent weeks with a mild sprain of the LCL.

One person with knowledge of the situation said Griffin might have to undergo exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the damage and whether the injuries are new.

[God luvs America]

“if RGIII was a white quarterback do ya think the white coach woulda left him in da game??? but since he’s a cornroll brother i don’t much care!”... Al Sharpton/PMSNBC

[BenLurkin]

That field was attrocious.

It looked like they were playing on painted decomposed granit.

[BenLurkin]

(Love your tagline!)

[Doogle]

EYEP...sometimes I gotta turn my head because I don’t want to be reminded...*lol*...my right leg got hyper extended once when I tried to slide into home plate but a catcher that weigh about 350 lbs decided I wasn’t gonna do it....he was right.

[21st Century Crusader]

The Redskins are supposed to be among the top three valued teams in the NFL at around $2.6 Billion. You’d think that they would’ve spent a few bucks on some turf instead of painting the dirt green. The field should’ve been an embarrasment to the NFL and the players union should sue for substandard working conditions.

[colorado tanker]

I saw the Doc go in the shed too, but he later said RGIII wouldn't let him examine.

What goes on in there? Good question! I've suspected that's where they they administer the injections. :-)) A less cynical view is that they don't want the other team and media to see what part of the body they are working on.

[Vince Ferrer]

That was a bad looking injury, I certainly hope he recovers. As a Bronco fan, one of my favorite players is Terrel Davis. He was a magnificent runner, but his career was ended due to an injury like this. There is, however, a lot of money in sports medicine going to fixing knees, so what would have ended an athlete's career a decade ago may be fixable.

This is also a good reminder of why, despite his obvious will to work and succeed, coaches don't want Tebow as a starting quarterback. He is a scrambler just like RG3, and would end up the same way eventually if he can't convert to a normal pocket passer.

[sassy steel magnolia]

ouch, ouch and OUCH!

He shouldn’t have been played...knees do take a beating, but if they’re injured they are NEVER the same.

I speak from experience: torn ACL (left knee), tibial plateau fracture (right knee), tendonitis in both knees. (no, not an athlete, just ran on hard runways too darn long! plus some leisure sports injuries playing soccer and volleyball)

My knees tell me every morning that I am nearing 60! :)

[stormer]

Exactly what I told my wife. The good doctor should be canned along with the coach and the groundskeeper. It was pretty clear RGIII wasn’t going to perform after the first quarter - yank him and send in the backup with a 14 point lead, not a 10 point deficit. That said, I’m from Seattle - go Seahawks! The Falcons will have to play their best to beat them...

[matginzac]

It was crap...even the bozo announcers commented on how crappy it was....

[matginzac]

I totally agree and was screaming at the TV the whole second half...
That said, Pete Carroll is a disgrace to football the way he skipped out on SC, leaving scandal.
And I’m a UCLA grad......
GO FALCONS!!!
And he’s a major Obambot......

[MinorityRepublican]

As a Bronco fan, one of my favorite players is Terrel Davis. He was a magnificent runner, but his career was ended due to an injury like this. There is, however, a lot of money in sports medicine going to fixing knees, so what would have ended an athlete's career a decade ago may be fixable.

That's correct. Terrell Davis blew out his knee 15 years ago, his career was over. Adrian Peterson? Same thing happen a year or two ago. Now? As good as new!

[Alaska Wolf]

Adrian Peterson? As good as new!

His stats indicate better than new.

[Moonman62]

My wife and I thought there was something strange about the field. It looked like it wasn’t attached to the soil or something.

At Dolphin's stadium they'll lay down huge rolls of sod before big games like the Super Bowl or the BCS. They are so large that they stay put. It's not the little squares that regular people get. If that isn't good enough there's some nice synthetic turf these days. Both options are cheaper than losing a star player.

[boop]

Anyone remember that NFL exhibition game years ago in Mexico city at that stadium that holds like 200K fans? Might have been a bullfighting arena. I just remember that the turf was so loose it looked like a cow pasture by the end of the first quarter.