Robert Griffin III Injury: Updates on Redskins Star's Ankle and Return

Contributor ISeptember 14, 2014

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Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

As expected, Robert Griffin III is active for Week 9:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
#Redskins inactives for #WASvsMIN: K. Cousins, A. Robinson, S. Redd, G. Ducre, J. Jeffcoat, S. Long, T. Polumbus.

Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

The Redskins' official Twitter feed has an update on Robert Griffin III's status for Sunday:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden on QB @RGIII: "We have every intention of giving him the start" vs. Minnesota on Sunday.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com has more from Griffin on his status:

"I thought I'd get back a little sooner ... this isn't little league football, you got to play with some pain," he said. "I'm to the point where I've rehabbed it enough and I feel good going out there and I feel that I can be myself."

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 30

Mike Jones of the Washington Post has an update on Robert Griffin III's status, from head coach Jay Gruden:

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden: Griffin's progress continues and "every intent right now is for him to be the starter"

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden says "no benefit if he's heathy to sitting him til after the bye" because no practice allowed during bye. Ankle is strong enough.

Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington add more:

Rich Tandler @TandlerNBCS
Gruden : RG3 is at 100 percent physically.

Albert Breer of NFL.com reports on Griffin's status at Thursday's practice:

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Robert Griffin III took the majority of the first team reps today after splitting them with Colt McCoy yesterday.

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Gruden says RG3 is "cleared from the doctors." Final call will be Gruden's, he reiterates he wants to make sure he's up to speed mentally.

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 29

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC Sports provides an update on Robert Griffin III's status:

Dianna Russini @diannaESPN
Robert Griffin III will start against the Vikings on Sunday per multiple sources with the Redskins organization.

Albert Breer of NFL Network provides a slightly different report:

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Per two Redskins sources, heavier workload on Thursday and Friday will dictate the decision on Robert Griffin III. He's got a good shot.

Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington has the latest on Griffin's participation at Wednesday's practice:

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Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
Robert Griffin III was full participation today.

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Robert Griffin III's return to the field is approaching, according to Washington head coach Jay Gruden. He discussed the quarterback's status during a Tuesday press conference, via Mike Jones of The Washington Post:

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden: "I think Robert is very, very, very close." says Doctors just want to be sure he's healed and he wants to be sure QB ok in pocket

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden plans Wed practice will be more of a jog-through because of MON game, and he'll then make decision on Griffin.

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden maintains "No matter what happens" they won't rush Griffin back to action, whether McCoy plays well or not. Still waiting on docs

Updates from Monday, Oct. 27

Robert Griffin III is inactive for Monday's matchup vs. Dallas, the team confirmed:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Inactives for #WASvsDAL #MNF #HTTR http://t.co/zdeqBPUVp6

After Colt McCoy led the Redskins to a thrilling 20-17 OT win, Jay Gruden updated everyone on who is the starter when RG3 returns from injury, via Zac Boyer of The Washington Times:

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden: Griffin is the starter. "That's not going to change."

Prior to the game, the Redskins shared a Vine of Griffin going through warmups:

Earlier, Albert Breer of NFL Network reported on whether Griffin will play in Week 8:

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Not that it's any surprise, but Redskins QB Robert Griffin III won't play tonight. As expected, Colt McCoy starts for Washington in Dallas.

Updates from Saturday, Oct. 25

NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano provides an update on Robert Griffin III's status for Week 8:

Andrew Siciliano @AndrewSiciliano
RGIII is officially questionable for the Redskins for MNF

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 23

Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington passed along what he was seeing from Washington's practice on Thursday:

Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
Robert Griffin III looked good during individual drills. As others have noted, he seemed to do more a little strenuous stuff yesterday.

Later, Jay Gruden spoke about Griffin's status for Monday's game vs. Dallas, via NFL.com's Around the League:

Around The NFL @AroundTheNFL
Jay Gruden said a decision won't be made on RGIII being active until 7:30 p.m. Monday. Colt McCoy will start.

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 22

Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington reported on Robert Griffin III's status from Redskins practice:

Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
RG3 did individual drills during portion of prax that was open to media. Took shotgun, under center snaps. Threw to RBs, WRs and TEs.

Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
Tough to say where RG3 is physically. Open period was just light stuff. Drop backs, variety of passes, handoffs. No hard running, cutting.

After practice, Jay Gruden spoke about the quarterback's injured ankle, via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times:

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden called Griffin a "wild card" for Monday.

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden on Griffin: "If we have to wait another week, or wait another two weeks, then so be it. But that will not be my call initially."

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden: It's not so much about Griffin's ankle, but more his ability to handle the live game situation on that ankle.

The head coach discussed a timeline for a decision on Griffin and who the starter is as of Wednesday, via Boyer:

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden said he wants to know, ideally, tomorrow if Griffin is healthy enough to play. He wants the team to know who the QB will be.

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
McCoy, "as of right now," is still starting Monday.

Gruden also spoke about the rest of his quarterbacks and their activity in practice, via Boyer:

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden said Cousins and McCoy all did first-, second- and third-team work today.

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 5 Washington reported on the chances of Griffin playing on Monday night:

Dianna Russini @diannaESPN
Per mulitple sources there is NO chance RG3 plays on Monday night against Dallas. #Redskins

Liz Clarke of the Washington Post also provided an update on when Griffin will speak to reporters

Liz Clarke @lizclarketweet
Although RG3 rejoined practice today, #Skins won't make him available to reporters. #Skins say he won't talk until named to start a game.

Updates from Monday, Oct. 20

The Washington Post's Mike Jones provided a synopsis of Redskins head coach Jay Gruden discussing Robert Griffin III's recovery and his chances of playing next week:

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden said still no decision yet on Griffin. Not medically cleared yet.

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden on Griffin: "I can't rule him out (yet) but he has a long way to go. He has a lot to show."

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Colt McCoy would start if Griffin can't, Gruden said.

Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan continued with more from Gruden:

Brian McNally @bmcnally14
Robert Griffin III "has to be honest with himself on how he's feeling" during practice this week, Gruden says. Can he play full speed?

Earlier, Liz Clarke of The Washington Post reported when Griffin could return to practice:

Starting quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has been sidelined since Sept. 14 by a dislocated left ankle, could be cleared to resume practicing on Wednesday, Gruden said during his post-game press conference.
Griffin is expected to be put through a rigorous workout that day that will give team officials a better sense of where he is in his recovery. To date he has joined the Redskins for pre-practice stretching, warmups, individual drills and limited handoffs with the scout team.
Gruden has said more than once that he’d like Griffin to log at least two weeks of practice before returning to the lineup. If he’s able to start that process Wednesday, that would put his return to competition at the Nov. 2 game at Minnesota. For him to return sooner, at Dallas, would be a surprise.

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

As expected, the Redskins announced Robert Griffin III will not play in Week 7:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
#Redskins inactives for #TENvsWAS. http://t.co/DtBVb86Z2U

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 15

Tom Schad of the Washington Times provides an update on Robert Griffin III's injury:

Tom Schad @Tom_Schad
Also that RG3 guy is back, throwing to wide receivers with the other QBs. #Redskins

Coach Jay Gruden commented on how Griffin III looked in practice, and the latest timetable for his return via the Redskins Twitter account and Mike Jones of the Washington Post:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden said QB @RGIII "looked fine" and "had a little bounce to his step" in his first on-field drills today since injuring ankle Week 2.

Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
Gruden once Griffin cleared and ready mentally and physically, he'll be the starter. Said could be one week, could be five weeks.

Updates from Monday, Oct. 13

CSNWashington.com's Rich Tandler provides an update on Robert Griffin III's status:

Rich Tandler @TandlerNBCS
Per Gruden, RG3 will start doing individual drills this week and could start full practice next week. #Redskins #RedskinsTalk

CSN's Rich Tandler has more detail from Jay Gruden:

“I think he’s going to start individual drills this week,” said coach Jay Gruden. “As far as actually taking practice reps I think that will be at least another week. We’ll get him out there, do some individual drills, throw some balls to balls to the wideouts. That will be the first step. Then next week we’ll try to get him maybe in some practice situations and see where he is.”

Updates from Friday, Oct. 10

Zac Boyer of The Washington Times has the latest on Griffin III's status:

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Griffin, Porter out. Clark, Orakpo, T.Williams, Riley, Reed questionable.

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 9

Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan passed along comments from Jay Gruden on Robert Griffin III:

Brian McNally @bmcnally14
Meanwhile Jay Gruden says he's not surprised RGIII looks better than maybe we expected. Still downplaying any imminent return though.

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 8

CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir reported on Robert Griffin III's status from Redskins practice:

Griffin, who has missed the past three games with a dislocated left ankle, joined the team’s rehabbing players on a side field for what appeared to be a moderately strenuous workout. Griffin made a cameo at Saturday's practice but left the field following the stretching period.
On Wednesday, though, Griffin, wearing his helmet and an ankle brace under his sock, did some running, shuffle-step drills and other agility work under the watchful eye of head athletic trainer Larry Hess.

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 7

CSN Washington's Tarik El-Bashir and Zac Boyer of the Washington Times have an update on Robert Griffin III's status:

Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
Gruden also said RG3 won't take any practice reps this week or "anytime soon."

Zac Boyer @ZacBoyer
Gruden said Griffin, now without the walking boot, may begin running a bit this week, but otherwise has no other immediate next step.

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 5

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the latest timeline for Robert Griffin III's return to the field:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
As for #Redskins QB Robert Griffin III, the plan is for him to be back in 3 weeks — before the bye. That’s Oct. 27 vs. the #Cowboys.

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 25

NFL Media PR provides an update on Griffin's status:

NFL Media @NFLMedia
.@RapSheet: "I am told by Redskins sources that there is no guarantee that RG3 is handed his starting job back when he does come back."

NFL Media @NFLMedia
.@RapSheet: "The Redskins are internally open to possibility that Cousins could come in over next 6 weeks or so & simply win this job."

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 24

The Washington Redskins updated Robert Griffin III's status prior to Thursday's game versus New York:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
NEWS: #Redskins release injury report, game status for Thursday's #NYGvsWAS matchup http://t.co/yPRvXh5xLI

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 23

Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported on Robert Griffin III's recovery:

michael phillips @michaelpRTD
RGIII's cast has been removed. Walking boot in its place. Said doctors will rediagnose the ankle next week.

Jay Gruden also spoke about Griffin's job security Tuesday (via Around the League):

Around The NFL @AroundTheNFL
Gruden on possibility of Cousins permanently replacing RGIII: "Crazy things have happened in the NFL" http://t.co/fnPV2sE8OL

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

The Redskins confirm Robert Griffin III is on the team's inactive list for Week 3:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
#Redskins inactives: QB R. Griffin III, CB T. Porter, LB A. Jordan, DE K. Golston, T M. Moses, TE J. Reed, WR S. Moss.

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 18

Will Carroll of Bleacher Report weighed in on the latest news surrounding Robert Griffin III's injured ankle:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 17

Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Washington provides an update on Robert Griffin III's recovery from Redskins head coach Jay Gruden:

Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 @TarikNBCS
Griffin will be in a cast for 10 days, Gruden said. Will be reevaluated after that. Nothing new after specialist studied MRI.

Updates from Monday, Sept. 15

Jay Gruden spoke about the latest on Robert Griffin III's injured ankle during Monday's press conference (via the Redskins and NFL Around the League:

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden: QB @RGIII has a dislocated, and not broken, left ankle. Does not have a timeline for his return; could be this season.

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden said Griffin III will not be placed on season-ending IR.

Around The NFL @AroundTheNFL
Gruden: Griffin will be put in a cast and get re-evaluated in a few weeks. Confirms the ankle was dislocated not fractured.

Griffin also spoke about his ankle injury on Monday after the latest diagnosis (via Rich Tandler of CSN Washington):

Griffin said that it was "positive news". He will not have to undergo surgery, a procedure that likely wold have ended his season.
Dr. Robert Anderson is evaluating the MRI and we should have more word on Griffin's recovery timetable when coach Jay Gruden holds his news conference today at 3 p.m.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole shares the latest estimates about how long Griffin's injury will keep him sidelined:

Jason Cole @JasonCole62
News on #RG3 continues to be positive today inside team facility. Looks like he'll miss 4-5 weeks, as has been reported.

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 reported more on Griffin's timeline for a return:

Dianna Russini @diannaESPN
The latest: RG3 says initial test results...no fracture. Doctors will still need to look at results to determine time line. #Redskins

Around the NFL passes along a report from Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network discussing Griffin's job security as the Redskins' starting quarterback:

Around The NFL @AroundTheNFL
From @AKinkhabwala at 'Skins headquarters on @NFL_AM: There is no controversy. Everybody understands Cousins doesn't have RGIII's dynamism.

Original Text

Robert Griffin III left his team's Week 2 contest vs. Jacksonville with what appeared to be a non-contact ankle injury. The Redskins ruled Griffin out for the remainder of the game.

Head coach Jay Gruden confirmed that Griffin dislocated his ankle following the game (via the Redskins):

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden: @RGIII has a dislocated ankle; will undergo more tests tomorrow. Does not know length of time he will miss as of today.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on the timetable for Griffin's return to the team:

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
ESPN's doctor, @jocktodoc, believes RGIII's dislocated ankle is a season-ending injury.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reports the injury may not be season ending: "Per a league source, an MRI will be conducted tomorrow. The current hope is that Griffin will miss only four or five weeks."

Bleacher Report's Will Carroll was quick to weigh in on Griffin's injury:

Gruden and Griffin spoke about the injury following the game (via the Redskins):

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Gruden has talked to @RGIII, who is "Very disappointed. He's sick. ...People don't understand how much work goes into being a starting QB."

Washington Redskins @Redskins
Griffin III: "One guy doesn't define this team. That includes me." Has confidence in Cousins & McCoy to forge on if needed.

Bleacher Report's Chris Simms also weighed in on Kirk Cousins, who replaced Griffin at quarterback:

Jeff Darlington of NFL Network shared an image of Griffin leaving on the cart after being fitted with an aircast:

Jeff Darlington @JeffDarlington
Here’s Robert Griffin III, being driven off field on a cart, left leg wrapped in an air cast, as he waves to crowd: http://t.co/M4ChPF6q0t

The 24-year-old quarterback, who never really looked fully healthy in his return from ACL surgery last season, ended up sitting out the final three games of the 2013 season. There has been a lot of pressure surrounding him after a poor 2013 campaign, and another injury won't help his case.

Griffin has the skill set to be one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, but his propensity to leave the pocket has often left him susceptible to big hits and various injuries.

For as long as he's sidelined, it will be Cousins' time in Washington, which should please Joe Theismann. During the preseason, the former Redskins quarterback famously endorsed the Michigan State product, via the Los Angeles Times' Chuck Schilken:

Kirk Cousins has played much better at the quarterback position than Robert Griffin III has. Now, Robert is learning to work out of a pocket. He doesn’t look as smooth or as comfortable throwing the football. I mean, your eyes will tell you everything you need to know.
Now, if there was a quarterback competition, it wouldn’t be a competition. Kirk Cousins would be the man I believe he would have to go to, because of the efficiency with which he has run [the offense].

Not everyone was quick to agree. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco and The Big Lead's Jason Lisk put it simply:

Despite a significant decrease in production from his rookie season, Griffin actually outplayed Cousins considerably in 2013. He finished with a higher touchdown percentage, lower interception percentage and 1.5 more yards per pass attempt (h/t Pro-Football-Reference.com).

Alas, for the time being, Jay Gruden and Co. will have to hand the reins over to Cousins, who will certainly bring a different dynamic to this offense than RGIII.

Fortunately for Washington, an array of pass-catching weapons, as well as the underrated Alfred Morris in the backfield, mean the offense is still capable of moving the ball no matter which third-year QB is under center.