Injury has derailed another season for Chris Cooley.
The Redskins on Tuesday placed the veteran tight end on injured reserve, ending his season a little more than a week after he suffered a broken left index finger against the Philadelphia Eagles. That injury only compounded Cooley’s problems, as he had been struggling with his surgically repaired left knee as well.
Cooley, 29, underwent surgery on the finger last week and had said he hoped to return in 2011. That won’t happen, as Cooley will finish the season with eight catches for 65 yards in five games.
Once known for his durability, he had started 71 consecutive games before missing seven games in 2009 with a fractured ankle. He returned to play every game last year but never fully recovered from offseason knee surgery.
Considering his recent injury woes and relatively high salary - he’s under contract for two more seasons, with a base salary of $3.8 million next year - there’s a possibility Cooley has played his final game for the team that drafted him in the third round in 2004.
If the Redskins decide to cut Cooley before June 1, they would take a salary cap hit of approximately $4.2 million next season. If they cut him after that date, he would cost them about $2.4 million against the cap in 2012 and $1.8 million in 2013.
The Redskins also put running back Tim Hightower on IR on Tuesday, two days after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
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