LANDOVER, Md. — Robert Griffin III isn’t the type of quarterback to run out of bounds, and Sean Weatherspoon knew it. The Falcons linebacker kept up the pursuit and went for the tackle. His upper body rammed into the helmet of the rookie who doesn’t shy from contact.
Griffin was down and done. A mild concussion, according to Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. On a day in which the Falcons’ usually powerful offense was a bit out of sync, the defense had made a play that changed the game.
Matt Ryan went on to lead three scoring drives in the fourth quarter yesterday, scraping together enough points for a 24-17 win that gave the Falcons their first 5-0 start in franchise history.
“I felt like he was still turning upfield, so I was just trying to make a play,” Weatherspoon said. “Most quarterbacks would probably slide out of bounds or run out of bounds, but he’s a tough guy.”
And there was no dispute. It was a clean hit.
“When he wasn’t really sure what the score was, what quarter it was, we knew he had a mild concussion,” Shanahan said.
Team spokesman Tony Wyllie said the Heisman Trophy winner was examined by an independent neurologist before being sent home from the stadium and will be evaluated again today. Griffin also got a cut on his chin.
The play turned a third-and-goal from the 3 to a fourth-and-goal from the 5 late in the third quarter. The Redskins (2-3) then kicked a field goal to take 10-7 lead, and Griffin was replaced by fellow rookie Kirk Cousins.
Most of the post-Griffin portion of the game belonged to the Falcons. Julio Jones dexterously got both feet inbounds on an 18-yard catch just beyond the pylon. Matt Bryant stayed perfect on the year with a 53-yard field goal. Michael Turner ran 13 yards for the go-ahead score with 2:46 to play. And the defense intercepted Cousins twice in the final two minutes.