Robert Griffin III said he was feeling "positive vibes" about his knee injury. And he was right.
The Redskins announced three hours after Sunday's game that an MRI revealed the rookie quarterback had a right knee sprain -- and Griffin couldn't wait to thank the fans.
A Redskins source told NFL.com's Albert Breer before the MRI that doctors hadn't ruled out the possibility that Griffin could play next Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Griffin left the Redskins' 31-28 overtime victory with less than two minutes remaining in regulation after he took a massive hit from Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata. Griffin returned for four plays, but he was limping badly. He didn't play in overtime.
"I was trying to make a play, and as soon as I turned it inside, I said, 'Oh Lord, here we go,' " Griffin said. "It was a freak play, my leg got hit after I was already down. It was pretty painful. Just praying that I'll be all right."
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Griffin said the first look at the knee was positive.
"I'm not a doctor, but I know what an ACL feels like, and it doesn't feel like an ACL," Griffin said. "(The doctors) said my ligaments feel good, but it depends on what the MRI says. I'm feeling positive vibes from them and from the team."
It was easy to see why. After all, the Redskins allowed Griffin to go back on the sideline in uniform after he was examined in the locker room. They wouldn't have risked that had they believed Griffin was seriously hurt.
The Redskins also allowed Griffin to conduct his normal postgame interview from the podium. A player usually doesn't do that after he has been hurt.
It looks like Washington's playoff push will continue as planned.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.