Robert Griffin III’s knee injury in the first-round playoff game against Seattle caused quite a stir and controversy. Coach Mike Shanahan’s judgment in keeping an obviously injured player in the game became a lightening rod of controversy, with Dr. James Andrews having to explain himself and Shanahan’s actions.
It was all confusing at best, shady at worst. It seemed a prime case for the NFL Players Association to jump in and find out if the team put its fortunes ahead of the players’ health. However, the NFLPA said it will not demand a formal investigation of the Redskins’ handling of Griffin, although it is allowed to do so under the sport’s collective bargaining agreement.
“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 underwent reconstructive surgery Wednesday after re-injuring his right knee in Sunday’s game. The team is hopeful he could recover in time to start the 2013 season in September.
He asked to stay in the game and Shanahan allowed him to, thinking Andrews had given RGIII the approval to do so.
According to reports, the NFLPA also was seeking information going back to Griffin’s original injury against the Baltimore Ravens three weeks before, when Griffin left the game briefly, then went back in. Andrews, who is on the sidelines for Redskins games, told USA Today that he did not clear Griffin to return to the game, though Shanahan said he got the OK from Andrews.
Andrews later told The Washington Post that there was a “communication problem” between him and Shanahan.
The NFLPA confirmed that Andrews and the Redskins’ medical staff provided a report detailing the process of review on the sideline. According to union medical director Dr. Thom Mayer, Andrews and the Redskins’ medical staff were “gracious, generous and timely” in supplying the information requested.
