With just three days before the Washington Redskins report to Richmond for pre-training camp physicals and conditioning tests, and four days before they hit the field for their first practice, quarterback Robert Griffin III feels ready to join his teammates on the field, less than seven months since the reconstruction of his right knee. On Wednesday, he’ll find out if he can.
A person familiar with the second-year quarterback’s physical and mental health said this week that Griffin’s knee — the same in which he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in 2009 and then this past January suffered damage to his lateral collateral ligament, ACL and meniscus — “feels great,” and that Griffin believes that he has done everything possible to meet his stated goal of returning for the opening of camp. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized by the Redskins to speak publicly on the matter, said Griffin continues to run and cut without pain or limitation.
However, the decision on whether Griffin receives the green light to practice this week rests with James Andrews, the sports orthopedic surgeon who serves as a team consultant and spends every game on the Redskins’ sideline. Andrews, who has met with Griffin periodically to monitor his process since conducting his surgery in January, will examine his knee extensively Wednesday. He will determine then just how ready Griffin really is to return to the field, and relay that opinion to the Redskins.
Griffin turned in a wonderful rookie season, racking up 27 total TDs (20 passing, seven rushing) to go along with 3,211 yards passing and 833 yards rushing. RG3 belongs in the top tier when he's playing, but like Michael Vick before him, his lack of bulk and propensity to take hits make him an injury risk. If he's ready for Week 1, he'll one of the top 10 QBs on draft day.
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