Redskins QB Robert Griffin III spent most of OTAs throwing to injured teammates on side fields at Redskins Park. (Photo: Evan Habeeb, USA TODAY Sports)
Robert Griffin III insisted when the Washington Redskins broke minicamp in June he'd be ready to take snaps with the first team from the start of training camp in Richmond, Va., Thursday.
Well, Griffin and Redskins Nation received the best possible news Monday when team doctors, including renowned orthopedist James Andrews cleared Griffin to return to practice little more than six months after he underwent reconstructive surgery on his shredded right anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments Jan. 9.
Griffin's father, Robert Griffin II, texted to USA TODAY Sports: "Robert is happy regarding his hard work (paying off)."
Doctors cleared me to practice. Coach is going to ease me in. Thank you for your support %26 See you in Richmond
- Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 22, 2013
Earlier in the morning, RG3 tweeted: "Doctors cleared me to practice. Coach is going to ease me in. Thank you for your support & See you in Richmond."
It has to be a rewarding feeling for Griffin after all the work he put in during his rehabilitation in Pensacola, Fla., at the Andrews Institute following the surgery and at team headquarters in Ashburn, Va. His recovery seems to be mirroring that of 2012 league MVP Adrian Petterson's seemingly superhuman comeback from a torn ACL suffered Dec. 24, 2011.
Peterson was held back during the first two weeks of Minnesota Vikings training camp last summer and listed on the team's physically unable to perform list, which prevents a player from participating in any team drills with teammates.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told USA TODAY Sports in June that Griffin would be back on the field only after doctors cleared him and Shanahan was convinced his knee was full go.
Now RG3 seems well on his way to reaching his ultimate goal - starting in the Redskins' Sept. 9 season opener on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett PHOTOS: Pivotal players to watch in the NFC
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