Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL after only playing in five games.
He can throw, run, extend the play, avoid pressure and hit his open receivers. But if Griffin can't learn how to protect himself and his body, his future may not be as bright as everyone expects. This idea played out on Sunday as Griffin left Washington's game against the Falcons in the third quarter after a hard hit.
Griffin suffered a concussion after a tackle from Falcons linebacker Sean Witherspoon when he stayed in bounds rather than taking the safe play of stepping out while trying to score a go-ahead touchdown.
"I felt like he was still turning upfield, so I was just trying to make a play," Weatherspoon said to the Associated Press. "Most quarterbacks would probably slide out of bounds or run out of bounds, but he's a tough guy." And there was no dispute. It was a clean hit. "It felt like a good play. I think it gave us a little energy."
Griffin left the game, but said afterwards he most likely would be okay for next week.
"When he wasn't really sure what the score was, what quarter it was, we knew he had a mild concussion," coach Mike Shanahan said.
Rookie Kirk Cousins replaced Griffin and was solid, throwing a 77-yard touchdown pass to Santa Moss in the fourth quarter.
Griffin will need to learn to go out of bounds more or use the quarterback slide if he expects to stay healthy for an entire season
It is a similar situation that the Philadelphia Eagles have with Michael Vick, who can be just as dynamic as Griffin. Vick has yet to play a full season with the Eagles since becoming their starting quarterback and takes way too many hits in the open field.
Griffin is resting as he recovers and will undergo more testing this week.
"We should fine out in the next few days exactly what happens," Shanahan said to ESPN.com. "Right now it looks good. I'm not really sure if it stays that way. The professionals will monitor his situation and let us know if able he's able to play or not. We surely have nothing to do with it."
Griffin must follow NFL protocols after suffering a head injury and may be eligible to practice on Wednesday if he passes the required tests. According to ESPN: "NFL rules require a player who has been diagnosed by the team medical staff as having a concussion to sit out the rest of the game. He also can't return to practice or game action until a team doctor and independent neurologist clear him."
"In my experience, when the quarterback gets that first hit like he received, they slide a little bit sooner in plays to come," Shanahan said. "They kind of protect themselves a little bit more."
Cousins stepped in for Griffin against the Falcons and most likely would start if the fellow rookie must sit out.
"Kirk has been No. 2 for a reason, because we feel like he's earned that right," Shanahan said. "We feel very good about him and where he's at, but we also have a lot of confidence in Rex as well."
Griffin was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft behind Andrew Luck and won the Heisman trophy in his final season at Baylor.
The success of the Redskins, who have not made the playoffs since 2007, falls squarely on the shoulders of Griffin.
Next week Washington plays against the much improved Minnesota Vikings, who are 4-1 after going 3-13 last season.
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