RGIII Injury Update: Robert Griffin III Ahead of Schedule, According to Coach

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's health is critical to the franchise's future.

Fortunately, according to Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan, it appears as though RGIII's recovery from ACL/LCL surgery is progressing faster than expected.

As USA Today reports, Griffin III is ahead of schedule as he continues to rehab his surgically-repaired right knee from ACL/LCL tears that he sustained over the course of the season and aggravated in a playoff loss to Seattle in January.

Shanahan says the athletically-gifted quarterback has been rehabbing and exercising for up to eight hours a day.

 "I've never seen a guy work that hard in his rehab," Shanahan said. "He's got great strength, he's got great flexibility. And that hopefully gives him a chance to be ready for the season.

"The doctors feel great about where he's at."

However, Shanahan reiterated that he still has no idea as to when Griffin will be ready to come back.

Griffin made a huge splash this season when he led the Redskins to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title, but Shanahan noted that Griffin will have to learn to make several adjustments on defense in terms of protecting himself.

Those adjustments include learning how to slide at the end of a run--which Griffin is well known for, in addition to his impressive arm strength--and throwing the ball away to avoid hits. In addition, Shanahan says that he wants Griffin to pace himself in order to avoid setting back his recovery.

The decision to keep Griffin in the January game, even after he was visibly limping in the second quarter, has drawn Shanahan a lot of controversy. Griffin went down late in the fourth quarter as the score was close, which was when he tore the ligaments in his leg.

Once again faced with those questions, Shanahan again defended his decision to leave Griffin in the game.

"You rely on the doctors and you rely on the player...He earned the right to stay in the game. That's why he was in it," Shanahan said.