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Robert Griffin III was one of the NFL's most exciting talents during his maiden season.
The Washington Commanders standout conjured wonderment atop the FedEx Stadium in 2012, leading Washington to its first division title since 1999 while capturing Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The then-22-year-old looked primed for superstardom. But during the subsequent playoffs, tragedy struck in the form of a wretched knee injury.
Here's a look back at Griffin's ACL, LCL and meniscus tears, as well as how they impacted his career.
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What happened to Robert Griffin III?
Griffin’s rookie season went up in smoke during Washington’s NFC wild-card defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in 2013.
While attempting to engineer a fourth-quarter comeback, Griffin went down in a heap, falling to the ground after attempting to corral a ball that bumbled out of his fingers.
Griffin, who had already suffered a torn ACL in college, had missed time with a sprained LCL earlier in the season. He sported a bulky black knee brace during the wild-card matchup as a result.
The final diagnosis wasn’t a kind one for the then-22-year-old. Griffin was found to have torn his ACL, LCL and meniscus. He underwent surgery in the days following the injury, setting himself up for a return to action during the 2013 season.
What was RG3's injury?
Griffin tore his ACL, LCL and meniscus against Seattle. He returned to action at the start of the 2013 season — eight months after suffering his injury.
Griffin struggled mightily in his first season back from injury, tallying 3,203 yards and 16 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and failing to record a rushing touchdown in 13 appearances.
Griffin was held out of Washington's final three games under the auspices of preserving his health.
MORE: How knee, ankle, concussion issues derailed RG3's promising career
RG3 vs. Seahawks injury video
Here's a look at Griffin's injury vs. the Seahawks.
RG3 rookie year stats
Griffin put forth one of the best rookie campaigns in league history in 2012, recording the highest passer rating (102.4) and highest touchdown-to-interception ratio (4:1) in league history.
Here's a closer look at the numbers behind Griffin's historic displays in 2012:
- Completion percentage: 65.6%
- Passer rating: 102.4
- Passing yards: 3,200
- Yards per attempt: 8.1
- Passing touchdowns: 20
- Interceptions: 5
- Rushing yards: 815
- Rushing yards per attempt: 6.8
- Rushing touchdowns: 7
- Fumbles: 9
RG3 stats after injury
Griffin's numbers took a tumble following his injury. He was felled by a handful of other maladies during his time with Washington, the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. But when he strode onto the field, he wasn't the same explosive talent he once was.
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Here's a look at his numbers across the final eight seasons of his career.
- Completion percentage: 61.8%
- Passer rating: 79.4
- Passing yards: 6,071
- Yards per attempt: 6.9
- Passing touchdowns: 23
- Interceptions: 25
- Rushing yards: 994
- Rushing yards per attempt: 5.3
- Rushing touchdowns: 3
- Fumbles: 25
Robert Griffin III injury history
Sept. 26, 2009: Torn Right ACL
Griffin tore his right ACL in the third game of the 2009 season. He missed the rest of the year as a result of the injury, landing redshirt status to play the following year as a redshirt sophomore.
Oct. 7, 2012: Concussion
In Week 5 of his rookie season, Griffin was hit in the head by Sean Witherspoon and was concussed. He was cleared to play the following week against the Vikings, a game in which he ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Dec. 9, 2012: Grade 1 Right LCL Sprain
Griffin took a hit directly to his right knee from Baltimore defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. He remained in the game and was visibly limping around the field. Only about a month later did USA Today report that Dr. James Andrews hadn't given permission for Griffin to stay in the game.
Jan. 6, 2013: Torn Right ACL, LCL and Meniscus
Griffin hurt his right knee more seriously in the Wild-Card Round of the playoffs against the Seahawks, requiring major offseason surgery. Griffin admitted after the game that he "did put myself at more risk by being out there.”
Sept. 14, 2014: Dislocated Left Ankle
In Week 2 of his third season, Griffin needed to be carted off the field after dislocating his left ankle. X-rays and MRIs revealed no fractures, and Griffin returned in Week 9.
Aug. 20, 2015: Concussion
A concussion in Week 2 of the preseason kept Griffin out of the following week, when Kirk Cousins played well and was named Washington's starter for the 2015 season. Griffin wound up third on the depth chart and didn't play a snap.
Sept. 11, 2016: Left Shoulder Fracture
Griffin fractured the coracoid bone in his left shoulder shortly after signing with the Browns and didn't return until Week 14. He'd only make five total starts in his lone season in Cleveland.
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Dec. 24, 2016: Concussion
Griffin was concussed in the second-to-last game of his only season with the Browns, but he was cleared and played in Week 17, throwing two touchdowns against the Steelers.
July 27, 2019: Right Thumb Hairline Fracture
At an open practice, Griffin suffered a hairline fracture in his right thumb and was expected to miss four to eight weeks. He returned in time for the season opener on Sept. 8, when he came in for mop-up duty and completed all six of his passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Dec. 2, 2020: Left hamstring injury
Griffin suffered the final injury of his professional career during a 19-14 loss to the Steelers in Week 12 of the 2020 season. Griffin, who stepped in for Lamar Jackson after the Ravens starter was ruled out with COVID-19, came up limping in the second quarter of the contest. He stayed on the field until the fourth quarter, at which point Trace McSorley came in for relief. He was summarily placed on injured reserve and waived in Jan. 2021.
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