Robert Griffin III's magical rookie season ended with injury, though the severity of his injury is still up in the air.
The Washington Redskins quarterback suffered a partial tear in the lateral collateral ligament of his right knee on Sunday when the Redskins were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs by the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Regarding speculation that he may have torn his ACL--one of the most difficult injuries to recover from in sports--ESPN speculated that Griffin III "likely" tore that ligament, although doctors have not been able to confirm such an injury.
Griffin was in Washington on Sunday, but is heading to Pensacola, Fla., Tuesday for an examination by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, according to the Washington Post.
"There is a concern," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told Sports Illustrated. "That's why he's going to see him."
MRIs taken of Griffin III's leg so far have proven inconclusive. At least part of it has to do with the fact that the rookie sensation tore his ACL in 2009 while playing college football for Baylor University.
"They want to take another look and have a physical exam with him," Shanahan said, "to make sure they're not looking at old injuries."
Recovery time for an LCL injury in athletes can range between three to six months. However, an ACL injury can take anywhere from between eight months to a year, and some athletes never fully recover their full skills after such an injury.
Griffin III, drafted No. 2 by the Redskins in 2012, had a remarkable debut year, as the remarkably athletic rookie emerged as one of the NFL's most marketable new stars. Throwing for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, Griffin III's unique blend of passing and rushing powered Washington to a 10-6 record that won them the NFC East Championship and a playoff birth.
Even more surprising, he rushed for 818 yards, staggering numbers for a quarterback.
With the future of the Redskins franchise resting on Griffin III's health, an ACL injury to their new franchise star could have a devastating effect on Washington's hopes for next year, and possibly even beyond.
But the young star appears ready to meet whatever comes his way. On Twitter Monday, Griffin III sent out the following tweet: "When adversity strikes you respond in one of two ways....You step aside and give in..Or you step up and fight."