RG3 Injury: Dislocated Ankle

Trending News: After Another Bad Injury, Is RG3 Done For Good?

September 15, 2014

Flip

Why Is This Important?

Washington Redskins' quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered a dislocated ankle yesterday, an injury that threatens to cut the young star’s season short and leaves fans and observers asking: Is RG3 fit for life in the NFL?

Long Story Short

The injury’s full extent remains unclear (he won't require surgery), but Griffin is expected to miss significant time the rest of the year. That opens the door for second-stringer Kirk Cousins, who shone in relief of RG3 on Sunday.

Long Story

Griffin will undergo various tests today to determine the full extent of his injury, which he suffered after landing strangely on his left ankle just four minutes into Washington’s home opener against Jacksonville. Although his diagnosis is still unclear, experts told the Washington Post that the quarterback is likely to be sidelined anywhere from eight weeks to the rest of the season.

The injury came as Griffin scrambled toward the sideline and leapt to evade a defender before connecting with DeSean Jackson on a 19-yard pass. His leg was placed in an air cast and doctors later realigned the ankle in the Redskins’ locker room.

Backup hurler Kirk Cousins filled in admirably in relief of Griffin, completing 22 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in Washington’s 41-10 thrashing of Jacksonville. He also ramped up what’s been a simmering quarterback controversy in the nation’s capital. A small but growing segment of the fan base — which includes Washington's all-time passing leader, Joe Theismann — has been calling for Captain Kirk to take the reins since last year. Griffin has one more season remaining on his four-year, $21 million contract.

The injury is also the latest obstacle in what’s been a tough road for Griffin since he exploded onto the pro football scene in 2012. RG3 led the Redskins to their first playoff appearance in five years during his rookie campaign, flashing a brilliant combination of running and throwing that left visions of Lombardi trophies dancing in Washington fans’ heads.

But that season wasn’t without its injury scares, thanks to Griffin’s fearless — some would say reckless — style of play. He eventually needed surgery to repair the ACL and LCL in his right knee. A hobbled RG3 spent most of last season looking like a shell of his rookie self.

This year, an older, wiser and more disciplined RG3 was expected to develop into more of a pocket passer in order to avoid some wear and tear on his 24-year-old body. The latest injury leaves Redskins fans wondering if maybe they paid too much to acquire the former Heisman winner, giving up three first-round picks and another second-round selection for the right to draft him. They're also probably relieved that Washington snagged Cousins as an insurance plan that same year.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question: Is RG3 done in D.C.?

Disrupt Your Feed: While reports of Griffin’s demise may not be greatly exaggerated, they’re probably premature. We are still talking about a guy who went to the Pro Bowl in his first year in the league.

Drop This Fact: Selected by Washington in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, Cousins has a career 74.3 QBR and has completed 57.6% of his passes. Griffin’s QBR during the same time is 91.8 and he’s completed 63.3% of his passes.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7or%2FKppynZpOkunC6xLCqaKugpL%2B1v46rnmxlmaO3tr7YZpuiq5yksKLAxJ1kmqabobJvtNOmow%3D%3D