Dr. James Andrews cleared Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III for Week 1 action Sept. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the surgeon has some concerns over how the team uses the second-year quarterback in its offense.
Following the Redskins 30-12 preseason finale victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Andrews cleared Griffin to play when the regular-season opens up, much to the delight of the quarterback.
Griffin, 23, tweeted his joy following the news:
Operation Patience....Complete. Cleared. To God Be The Glory https://t.co/GxYMw8Cs57
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 30, 2013
Andrews operated on ligaments in Griffin's knee on Jan. 9 and the quarterback has been working his way back ever since. While Andrews' exact concerns over Griffin's place in the offense are unknown, ESPN reports that the doctor did not want the Redskins to expose Griffin's knee to too much possible punishment throughout games.
Andrews expressed his optimism in the way the Redskins will handle the quarterback this season in a text message to ESPN.
"He is in their hands," Andrews said per ESPN. "They will take good care of him."
Griffin originally injured the knee on Dec. 9 in Week 14 from a hit he received while playing the Baltimore Ravens. Griffin sat out Week 15 and returned Week 16 to lead Washington to a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He then played in the team's postseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the wildcard round on Jan. 6, where he re-injured his knee and had to undergo surgery three days later.
A video of the injury can be seen below:
Griffin is excited to return to the field after missing the entire preseason, during which Washington went 4-0. The second-year signal caller is hoping to build off his successful rookie campaign where he went 258-for-393 for 3,200 yards in 15 games while also throwing for 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also ran for 815 yards on 120 carries and reached the end zone seven times.
The Redskins look to build on a 10-6 record and first place NFC East division finish from a year ago when Griffin takes the field opening night.
Griffin knows, and Dr. Andrews has cautioned, that his heavy running game could lead to more dangerous hits and injuries, and while he wouldn't flat out say he doesn't like to run the ball, it's pretty obvious he'd prefer throwing the football.
"It's not that I don't want to run the read option. Because I know what the read option can do for this team, and I know what it did for us last year," he told ESPN. "It's just, we don't have to run the read option. And that's something we've talked about. You don't have to run it. You just have to have the threat of it. And if teams are going to give it to you, you take it, and I'm all for it."
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