Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said in a statement released to ESPN on Tuesday that his goal is to return in Week 1 from a knee injury suffered during the Washington's playoff loss to Seattle last season. However, the rookie of the year award winner says he will only attempt to play if he's healthy.

"My knee is getting better every day. The doctors say I'm ahead of schedule. My goal is to return healthy in Week 1 but if I'm not ready then I will wait until I am, however long that is. My first NFL season and my injury that ended it showed me a lot about the league, my team and myself," the Griffin said in the statement.

"I know where my responsibility is within the dilemma that led to me having surgery to repair my knee and all parties involved know their responsibilities as well. I'm looking forward to playing the game we all love so much again and not behind at the negative. Thanks for the overwhelming level of support that I've received, sic em (Baylor) Bears and hail to the Redskins!!"

Washington received criticism for rushing Griffin back too early last season when he first experienced injury problems leading up to the playoffs. Griffin originally suffered a Grade 1 LCL sprain in Week 14 and would return in Week 16, with USA Today reporting that Dr. James Andrews had not cleared Griffin to return for the post-injury plays in the December 9 game.

Griffin reinjured his knee in the Redskins' only playoff game and had surgery with Dr. Andrews on January 9 for both his LCL and ACL.