Robert Griffin III tried playing through a right knee injury against the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs on Sunday, but he couldn’t make it through the game. The Washington Redskins phenom left the game late in the fourth quarter after his injured right knee awkwardly bent inwards. It was the second time in the game Griffin was examined by the team.
Griffin was examined by the team after leading the Washington Redskins to touchdowns in his first two drives, but he remained in the game. Wearing a brace on his right knee as he had since Week 16, Griffin pretty much limped around the field. He still managed to complete some passes, but the Redskins’ offense did very little after those first two touchdowns. Then it all came to an end in the fourth quarter.
Griffin tried scooping up a low snap at the Washington six-yard line and his right knee planted and bent inwards. He fell to the ground and was not even able to pick up the ball, which was recovered by Seattle. The turnover led to a field goal for the Seahawks, which helped them win the game 24-14.
Griffin left the game and did not return. He was replaced by backup Kirk Cousins, who went 3-for-10 for 31 yards.
The injury will result in all sorts of people questioning head coach Mike Shanahan for the way he has handled the situation.
Griffin was initially hurt in Week 14 against the Ravens. After leaving the game with a knee injury, Griffin returned before leaving for good four plays later. He was diagnosed with a sprain and only missed one game before returning in Week 16. RG3 played the team’s final three games. Griffin was examined during Sunday’s game and appeared uncomfortable and immobile throughout the contest. Many people wondered why the Redskins let him continue playing when he obviously was nowhere near full strength. The decision finally came back to hurt the team.
I often wondered throughout the game why the Redskins still had Griffin out there when it was so clear he was hurt and ineffective. The guy was limping around the field and couldn’t run. When a player is so obviously hurt, it makes little sense to keep him out there.
Below are three angles of the knee injury Griffin suffered (GIFs via The Score):
