Robert Griffin III reportedly will have surgery to repair torn ACL, LCL

The news on Robert Griffin III’s knee injury is almost as bad as anyone could have feared. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Griffin suffered a complete tear of his ACL and LCL and that he will undergo total reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

The projected timetable for recovery reportedly is 6-8 months, though Mortensen said on SportsCenter that Griffin is expected to be ready for the Washington Redskins’ season opener next season.

Griffin left last weekend’s playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks after collapsing trying to pick up a low snap late in the fourth quarter. He was replaced by Kirk Cousins and did not return.

Griffin was initially hurt in Week 14 after being hit by Ravens DL Haloti Ngata while running down the field. After leaving that game with a knee injury, the rookie returned before leaving for good four plays later. He was diagnosed with a sprain and only missed one game before returning in Week 16 and playing in the team’s final three games.

Griffin re-aggravated his knee injury after being pushed to the ground following the second touchdown pass he threw against the Seahawks in the first quarter on Sunday. He was examined by the team but did not miss any action. The rookie quarterback struggled to move throughout the rest of the game and limped around the field.

RG3 has already come back from a torn ACL injury suffered in 2009 while at Baylor, so this is nothing he can’t overcome. After seeing the way Adrian Peterson returned from his reconstructive knee surgery to rush for over 2,000 yards, there is optimism that Griffin won’t lose any of his incredible speed when he returns.