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Robert Griffin III has partial tears of ACL and LCL, MRI suggests
The MRI exam of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s right knee shows that Griffin has suffered possible partial tears of his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, according to several people with knowledge of the test results.
Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said Griffin is scheduled to be examined Tuesday in Pensacola, Fla., by orthopedic surgeon James Andrews to determine whether the test results show new or previous injuries.
It was not immediately clear whether surgery would be required or how long Griffin would be sidelined if the partial ligament tears are determined to be fresh injuries. Griffin suffered a torn ACL in the same knee in 2009 while he was in college at Baylor, and has been playing in recent weeks with a mild sprain of the LCL.
One person with knowledge of the situation said Griffin might have to undergo exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the damage and whether the injuries are new. Another said Griffin hopes to avoid full-blown reconstructive surgery if the tears are partial, even if they are new injuries.
A third person familiar with the case, asked whether the ligament damage is new or a matter of previous injuries showing up on Griffin’s MRI, said: “That’s what we’re trying to find out.”
Shanahan said at his news conference Monday at Redskins Park that he didn’t know the extent of the damage to Griffin’s knee or how long it will take the quarterback, who just completed his rookie season, to recover. Shanahan said it was unclear whether Griffin will play in the Pro Bowl, to which he was elected, or be ready to participate in the team’s offseason workouts and practices.
Griffin underwent an MRI exam after his knee buckled in the fourth quarter ofSunday’s 24-14 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks at FedEx Field and he left the field for good. Shanahan said the results of that exam are open to interpretation because of Griffin’s previous injuries.
Source: washingtonpost.com