Cooley could be back in 4 weeks
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
October 29, 2009
Good news for Skins entering bye week
Shortly after the game, his teammates said he was done for the season. Nearly a dozen hours later, coach Jim Zorn, after talking to doctors, delivered the same thought.
But tight end Chris Cooley has a chance to play again this season after all.
He underwent surgery to repair his broken right ankle Wednesday morning, and, in the best-case scenario, could return in as little as four weeks.
Zorn attended the procedure, done at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, and later said on his radio show on ESPN 980:
"The first thought was that he was going to be out eight weeks; this particular surgery was done -- it was [a] very non-evasive procedure and it was done in such a way that it, if all goes well, will get him back in as little as four weeks. It's a risk and it looks like it's going to be a pretty good risk."
This clearly is good news for a sputtering team. The Redskins rank 24th in offense and Cooley leads them in receptions with 29. He also is tied for a team-high two touchdowns.
Washington already has dealt with severe injuries offensively, having lost right guard Randy Thomas and then left tackle Chris Samuels to injuries for the season.
Also, running back Clinton Portis has had several issues with his right leg this season.
Fred Davis will replace Cooley in the lineup, with third tight end Todd Yoder getting more playing time. He's considered the best blocker of the group.
