Dr. Robert Kurtzke resigns, will still monitor RG III

NEW YORK -- An NFL spokesman says the doctor who reversed course on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's post-concussion playing status has resigned and been replaced as the team's independent neurological consultant.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Saturday that Robert Kurtzke left the consultant program operated jointly by the league and the players' union.

McCarthy said Kurtzke will still monitor Griffin's status and determine when he can be cleared to play. He said Abraham Kader is the new NFL-NFLPA independent neurological consultant assigned to the Redskins.

Griffin has been sidelined since Aug. 20 with a concussion. He was initially cleared byKurtzke to play nine days later in a preseason game, but the doctor reversed course the day before the game and said Griffin could not take the field.

The next week, Redskins coach Jay Gruden -- who had said in February that Griffin would be the team's starting quarterback this season -- named Kirk Cousins the QB for 2015. Gruden said that decision was not because of Griffin's head injury but because Cousins earned the job with his play in the preseason.

Griffin had been scheduled for further diagnosis Friday.

A message left at Kurtzke's office Saturday was not immediately returned.

The Washington Post first reported on Kurtzke's resignation and continued involvement with Griffin's case.

ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim and The Associated Press contributed to this report.