One and Done? Robert Griffin III Out for At Least 8 Games After Fracturing Shoulder

*He almost made it through the first game of the 2016 NFL season without injury.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III was running out of bounds with 3 minutes, 41 seconds left on Sunday when Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills suddenly appeared from behind Browns tight end Gary Barnidge to annihilate Griffin at the sideline.

Their encounter left RGIII with a fractured bone in his left shoulder.

The team announced Monday that he was placed on injured reserve. Under IR rules, if Griffin is designated as the team’s player to return, he could be back at practice in six weeks, but he must miss a minimum of eight games.

Though surgery is not required on the fractured coracoid bone, the team said Griffin’s shoulder will not be re-evaluated for three to four weeks, according to ESPN.com. The earliest he could return would be Nov. 10 at Baltimore.

“It’s very unfortunate, Robert came in and has worked extremely hard to learn our offense and earn the respect of his teammates,” Jackson said in a statement released by the team. “This is a tough loss because everyone has seen how invested he has been in this team and his dedication to the work needed to improve his craft.

“We all know these are the realities of the NFL, injuries occur and you have to find ways to overcome them so they don’t impede your progress.”

After the hit, Griffin was examined on the sideline. Trainers were seen taking Griffin’s helmet away at one point, but he convinced the medical staff he could return. He went back for the final three plays of the game, handing the ball off three times.

Griffin wasn’t doing to well before the injury, completing 12-of-26 for 190 yards with 0 touchdowns and 1 interception (on a tipped pass); 102 of Griffin’s yards came on two deep passes.

Griffin will be replaced by backup QB Josh McCown, 37.

Below, ESPN analysts say RGIII could’ve avoided injury on the play:

Click through to YouTube for the play that caused RGIII’s fractured shoulder:

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