Robert Griffin III Injury: Updates on Redskins QB's Concussion and Return

Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III has been cleared to play in games, team president Bruce Allen announced on Sept. 11. The quarterback suffered a concussion on Aug. 20 in a 21-17 win over the Detroit Lions.

Griffin has since been replaced as the starting quarterback by Kirk Cousins, a decision the team confirmed on Aug. 31. The team announced he is out against the New York Giants, marking the third-straight week he has been inactive.

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Neurologist Kurtzke Resigns, Former Patient Blasts Him on Twitter

Saturday, Sept. 5

The Washington Post's Liz Clarke and Mark Maske reported Friday that Robert N. Kurtzke, the neurologist who cleared Griffin, "had resigned from the neurological consultant program operated by the league and the NFL players’ union."

Alecko Eskandarian, a retired professional soccer player and former patient of Kurtzke, was quick to speak out against Kutzke on Twitter:

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I have just read that the neurologist involved in the RG3 concussion fiasco is Dr. Kurtzke. I cannot tell you how much pent up anger I have towards this man, as he is the same doc who nearly caused me brain damage and maybe worse. 10 years ago when I suffered a Grade 3 concussion that took me a year to recover from, Dr. Kurtzke suggested to 'just keep taking Tylenol.' The fact that this quack still works w/ high profiled athletes is A JOKE. This man put my life at risk and is a name I will never forget.

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Breer provided Kurtzke's original statement on Griffin not being able to play against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 29:

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Conflicting Stories Surround Griffin's Concussion Situation

Saturday, Aug. 29 

Jeff Darlington of NFL Network provided insight into the decision to sit Griffin for the third preseason game:

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Based on talks with well-informed sources on all sides, RG3 drama is sounding like terrible internal & external communication from Redskins.

Source close to RG3 says RG3 did not see LEAGUE’S independent neurologist until Thursday, contradicting Gruden’s general wording yesterday.

All previous neurological exams before Thursday were performed by doctors unassociated with NFL’s concussion protocol for in-game clearance.

Source close to RG3 says Griffin was permitted to practice without contact after passing baseline tests, which are different than Thursday exam.

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Darlington went on to explain why there had been so much confusion surrounding Griffin's status:

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Team led to believe independent neurologist assigned by league, (Kurtze) would clear Griffin. He did not. Which is why RG3 is so confused.

Griffin, meanwhile, does not believe he suffered concussion. Those close to RG3 have advised him it doesn’t matter what he or team thinks.

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“I read the report. Hell, I was confused," Gruden added after the Ravens game, per Darlington. Gruden added, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, that team did receive a "verbal" from the doctor clearing Griffin before they were told through email that he was not. 

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Griffin Comments on Concussion

Thursday, Aug. 27

Griffin said the concussion was the third of his career. He also said he was hoping to play Saturday and felt good, according to Clarke. 

The quarterback had more on the concussion, according to CSN Redskins and Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post:

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report noted the beating Griffin took against the Lions, with the quarterback being sacked three times, hit another three times and fumbling twice prior to leaving the game.

Of the myriad problems Griffin has had throughout his NFL career—mostly in the two years since he earned Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors following the 2012 season—staying healthy is at the top of the list.

Griffin even missed a start in that sensational rookie campaign with a knee injury before he tore his ACL in a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was healthy in 2013 but lacked the big-play ability he displayed in his first year. 

Griffin started the first two games of 2014 before dislocating his ankle against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missing six weeks.