Following a season-ending injury to starting tight end Fred Davis during the Washington Redskins 27-23 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, the team has re-signed tight end Chris Cooley to fill the void.
Cooley was re-signed officially on Monday after passing a physical. The news was originally reported by the Washington Post and NFL Network.
A fan favorite, Cooley was cut in August during training camp and released after spending his entire eight year career with the Redskins.
"I appreciate everything," Cooley said to the Associated Press at the time he was cut. "I'm sorry. I'm a baby. I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I guess, finally, just to say thank you to our fans. It's been great. Thank you."
When he was cut, head coach Mike Shanahan said it was due to the fact that Fred Davis would be getting more playing time and that Cooley would have been used as a backup.
"He wants to start. He wants to play. And we'll see if he gets that opportunity. I thought he practiced well, he played well (in preseason), and I think he's got an opportunity to start in the National Football League," Shanahan said. "I think he's healthy."
Cooley has caught 428 balls in his career for over 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns. According to ESPN.com, Cooley is a "two-time Pro Bowler ranks fifth all time on the Redskins' receptions list."
"I have every belief that I can play football," he said after getting cut. "I have every belief that I can be not only a productive player but a starter in this league. I'm very confident in my abilities to continue to play the game. It would be a tough decision for me to put on another jersey. It's something that I really never had to imagine, so for now, I'll take some time and make sure what I do in the future is exactly what I want to do."
Cooley will now have a chance to prove himself again after Davis was lost to an Achilles injury. Davis played very well over the past seven games, leading the Redskins with 24 receptions and 325 yards.
"I had a lot of things I wanted to do this year, and I was doing it," Davis said. "It's very discouraging."
The Redskins suddenly may have some depth at the position after signing Cooley.
After Davis was hurt, third year tight end Logan Paulsen stepped in and had the best game of his short career, catching four balls for 76 yards, including a key fourth down conversion in the fourth quarter. Paulsen led the team in receiving yards in the game.
Earlier last month, Cooley said to the Washington Post:
"The way it looks to me is if something happens here, they would love to have me," Cooley said at the time. "If Fred gets hurt or something like that, I think I'd be the guy they sign. I think that."
The addition of Cooley should only help Robert Griffin III, who showed flashes of brilliance against the Giants on Sunday.
When Cooley was originally cut, Griffin tweeted: "He helped me get comfortable with this team & this offense. He is a legend in my mind and will be missed. Thank You Chris Cooley."
