Robert Griffin case revives 'play or sit' debate

At some point, an injured player, even a star such as Robert Griffin, is too hampered to help a team. Deciding when enough is enough is the problem.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan became the target of widespread criticism after Griffin re-injured his right knee in Sunday's 24-14 wild-card loss to Seattle. The questions have ranged from whether Shanahan made his sensational rookie's health his top priority to whether the protocol for dealing with injuries was followed.

Coaches who have been in such tricky situations say the solutions aren't complicated.

"You have to rely on the doctors, the health always has to come first," Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy said. "If the doctor says he can go or he can't go, you don't argue, there's not even a discussion.

"If the doctors say, 'Here are the limitations, he can go,' then you have to judge for yourself. How is he mentally? How limited is he physically?"

Dungy recalls many times when players wanted to play and he had to say no. While coaching the Buccaneers, Dungy told Warren Sapp he wouldn't be suiting up for a national TV game against Miami because Sapp had cracked a bone in his hand.