Jeter Setback a Lesson for RG3: Don’t Rush Back

Derek Jeter will be out until “sometime after the All-Star break” with what has been revealed to be a small crack in his surgically-repaired left ankle, New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman told reporters Thursday per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.

The 38-year-old shortstop is recovering from a broken ankle suffered during the first game of the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers last October. The Yankees captain spent the winter and spring battling back to make his return for opening day but a setback forced him to miss his first one since 2001.

Cashman told reporters that he didn’t believe Jeter’s rush to get back caused him to reinjure his ankle, but it’s hard not to think it contributed. “Captain Clutch’s” character is well known and it was clear he was working hard to return. The Yankees cut back on his workload this past week, but it may have been too little too late.

That reality should heighten the senses of Washington Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III, as well as others fighting to return to their respective playing fields as quickly as possible after injuries.

Griffin is very similar to Jeter — and that can be a blessing and a curse. There are few players in Major League Baseball more dedicated and more successful than the 18-year veteran; much like Griffin, who proved he is determined to succeed through every obstacle that enters his path. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and the fans love them for it.

But just as Jeter’s drive to contribute and to win may have cost him valuable time – and perhaps, at his age, a longer career — so too can Griffin’s should he force himself back into the lineup for the Redskins too soon. We’ve already seen what kind of hell the franchise quarterback is willing to put himself through to get on the field… that’s how he got into this predicament in the first place.

Reports of Griffin’s recovery from a torn ACL have been positive. In recent weeks, Dr. James Andrews, the Redskins’ team doctor and widely regarded as the best orthopedic surgeon in the country, called the Rookie of the Year “superhuman” and his recovery “way ahead of schedule.”

Neither of those comments may have been intelligently made and could only serve the ego of RG3, who chose to re-enter a Week 15 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens after injuring his knee for the first time without clearance from Dr. Andrews.

The Redskins’ quarterback is not “superhuman,” and both he and his coaches should be wary not to allow him to hit the field until he is back to perfect health.

Because unlike Derek Jeter, Griffin is not already a surefire Hall of Famer. He has a lot to lose if he’s unable to see the field again and, with a more serious injury, the risk creates a much greater possibility for that. Nor is Griffin Adrian Peterson, who, to this point, is the exception to the rule for NFL players recovering from a torn ACL.

The Redskins cannot afford for Griffin to rush back, only to be hit with a setback similar to Jeter’s that forces him to miss substantially more time than originally expected. The 23-year-old captain may actually be better off given similar treatment to that of Chicago Bulls’ point guard Derrick Rose. Rose suffered a torn ACL in late April and, though he has been practicing since January, has not returned to play in a game for the Bulls yet.

Fans everywhere have clamored for the former NBA Most Valuable Player’s return, but the Bulls have been very cautious and rightfully so. Rose is still a young player with the potential to go down as one of the greats. Risking him out on the court too soon simply isn’t worth it.

It isn’t worth it to rush Griffin either just as it wasn’t worth it for Jeter to prematurely force his own return. But Jeter’s career is on the downswing. Griffin’s has only just begun.

The Redskins are a much better team when their leader is on the field with them, but with such a bright future it’s vital that the team and Griffin prioritize the long term over the here and now.

 

Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.