Advertisement

NFLPA won’t have official probe into Redskins’ handling of RGIII’s injury

The handling of RGIII's injury will not be formally investigated by the NFLPA.
The handling of RGIII’s injury will not be formally investigated by the NFLPA.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
Share

Even though Robert Griffin III continued playing for the Washington Redskins on an injured knee, the NFLPA will not demand a formal investigation of the team’s handling of his injury, the union announced Friday.

The NFLPA launched an informal inquiry this week but decided that a formal probe was not needed.

“The quality of medical care [Griffin] ultimately received is only one part of this,” the union’s medical director, Thom Mayer, said in a written statement.
Griffin appeared to re-injure his knee in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks yet he continued to play. Coach Mike Shanahan said that Griffin wanted to remain in the game and he obliged Griffin’s request.

Advertisement

“There was no way I was coming out of that game,” Griffin said.

According to reports, the NFLPA also was seeking information about Griffin’s initial knee injury, which occurred in a Dec. 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens, when Griffin sustained an LCL sprain on a hit by Haloti Ngata. Griffin was sidelined during that game for a short while but returned to play.

Dr. James Andrews, who is on the sidelines for Redskins games, told USA Today that he didn’t clear Griffin to return to play after he hurt his knee. He also told the newspaper that he was “scared to death” about Griffin playing on an injured knee Sunday. Andrews later told The Washington Post that there was a “communication problem” between him and Shanahan.

The NFLPA said that the Redskins and Andrews were “gracious, generous and timely” in providing information needed for its report.

“Playing through pain is a harsh reality of our business and our union will always hold the League and the clubs accountable to the best medical care,” NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Robert as he recovers from his surgery and we hope he returns to full strength.”

Griffin had surgery Wednesday in Florida to repair tears of the lateral collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee.

ALSO:

Advertisement

Tim Tebow won’t play for Jaguars next season

Rob Chudzinski is hired to coach the Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers put Chris Rainey on waivers after his arrest

Advertisement