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NFL concussion protocol trumps Snyder, Gruden on timetable for Griffin’s return

Daniel Snyder owns the Redskins and Jay Gruden is the team’s head coach. But for now, neither has a say in deciding when quarterback Robert Griffin III is ready to compete following the second known concussion of his NFL career.

That’s controlled by the NFL’s concussion protocol, a four-page document compiled by the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee, with input from the NFLPA, NFL Physicians Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society.

[Cooley: Griffin bears responsibility for drubbing]

Given its length, it’s tricky to boil down. But it lays out five steps a concussed athlete must go through in order to be cleared to play.