Not quite contradicting myself
There's a distinction between playing hurt and playing hurt when it could risk long-term injury.
Look, if he's risking long-term injury, he shouldn't play. Otherwise, I think it's important to get on the field and become part of this defense. He needs to prove it to his teamates on the field, not in the front office. As for staying in the game, sure, that's a way to do it, but look at Thomas coming back with the hammy, or Griffen with the hip. That inspired the team and showed that those guys are "real redskins".
Lavar is a gifted player and one who can change a game with big plays. As it stands now, we have folks on this board (and elsewhere) calling to trade/get rid of him, etc., because Lemar Marshall is playing well. Lavar needs to get it there and show that he can fit with this team and make it better. Lavar was listed on the "most overrated" team. He's also been accused of putting himself and his image before the team, of not being a team guy, etc. Getting back on the field even with a dinged knee shows your teamates and coaches that the team comes first, that even when he could have shut it down and rested on the sidelines, come back next year rested, etc. Instead, he toughed it out to be with his fellow skins in the trenches. That's how you earn respect as a team leader, not by signing a contract or ignoring arbitration hearings, etc.
Lavar needs to come in and put his mark on this season, even in the late stages, so he can make a legitemate claim to being a core guy who stuck it out in the tough times. Our team is better with Lavar in the mix, and getting him in there now gets the chemistry going that much sooner.