We couldn’t bear to run that photo of Griffin re-injuring his knee again, so here’s RGIII in December. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Robert Griffin III is undergoing major reconstructive surgery on his right knee today, and according to several reports, the operation could very well lead to the star quarterback missing the beginning of his sophomore season.

The Washington Post reports that doctors are repairing a tear to Griffin’s lateral collateral ligament, which he sprained in December and further injured last Sunday during the ‘Skins playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. During the course of the operation, Griffin’s doctors will see if he also tore his anterior cruciate ligament. ESPN reports that the operation today will include a repair to the ACL, which Griffin tore in 2009 during his second year at Baylor University.

And though ESPN continues on to report that the ‘Skins are optimistic that Griffin might recover in time for the beginning of the 2013 season, tears to the LCL require longer convalescences. One physician the Post spoke with said an injury like the one Griffin sustained could keep him off the field for as long as a year:

James C. Dreese, a doctor for University of Maryland athletic teams, said an LCL tear requires a longer rehabilitation process than an ACL tear. Dreese, who has no specific knowledge of Griffin’s injury, said an LCL tear could keep Griffin out for eight to 12 months.

Griffin, accompanied by ‘Skins owner Dan Snyder, traveled to Pensacola, Fla. yesterday to be examined by Dr. James Andrews, a well-known orthopedic surgeon who treats many professional athletes.

Since Sunday, Snyder and ‘Skins head coach Mike Shanahan have come under a load of criticism for Griffin staying in the game despite clearly re-aggravating his knee midway through the second quarter. It wasn’t until Griffin’s knee buckled entirely in the fourth quarter that he came off the field. The Post’s Courtland Milloy, though, wants to blame it on “bad karma” in retribution for the ‘Skins’ full name.