Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said he is “concerned” that media were informed he had fluid drained from his surgically-repaired left knee earlier in the week. Coach Mike Shanahan told reporters on Thursday about the procedure.
Cooley wishes the news had not been publicized “because everyone thinks it’s drained, that’s a huge deal,” he said. “No, that’s not a big deal. Guys get things drained all the time.”
As for the knee itself, Cooley expects to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at FedEx Field.
“It’s not changing the way I play,” he said. “It’s not all of a sudden worse because [it was drained].
“I’m fine. It’s something that I’m managing and it’s something that I deal with every day. I’m able to practice every day. I’m a firm believer in practice making you better, so I get myself ready to practice and play every day.”
Cooley was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, according to the team’s official injury report.
He missed the entire preseason because of the knee but has played in all four regular season games. Shanahan was asked whether Cooley’s knee has affected his play.
“There’s no question about it,” he said. “It takes time to get back into football shape. When you do have recurring problems with your knee, it’s never easy, but he’s very tough and he’s worked through it and he’s helped our football team win.”
Cooley, meanwhile, feels OK about his play to this point. Tight end Fred Davis leads the Redskins with 248 receiving yards compared to Cooley’s 66, but Cooley also has contributed as a blocker.
“Am I playing the way I’d like to play? Probably not,” Cooley said. “But in my opinion, I’m still playing extremely consistent in the role I’m being asked to play. I can’t be upset about that.
“Consistency-wise, this is the best I’ve played on a percentage level at any point in my career. I know I don’t have [more than] seven catches and I know I’m not adding to that part of the offense, but I played fullback — a position I haven’t played — two weeks ago and we rushed for 200 yards against St. Louis. So yeah, I’m happy with it.”
Hall added to injury report; Five questionable for Sunday
Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall (knee) was added to the injury report after Shanahan spoke to reporters Friday afternoon. Shanahan did not provide any indication that Hall was hurt.
Hall, receiver Anthony Armstrong (hamstring), running back Tim Hightower (shoulder) and cornerback Phillip Buchanon (neck) are listed as questionable for the game. Both Armstrong and Hightower said this week they are preparing to play.
Philadelphia defensive Trent Cole (calf) will sit out the game as expected. Left tackle Jason Peters (hamstring) is out, and backup tackle King Dunlap, who started last week, is questionable with a back injury.
If Dunlap can’t play, starting right tackle Todd Herremans would move to the left side and Winston Justice would start on the right. Herremans hasn’t played left tackle since 2006, and Justice hasn’t played at all since offseason knee surgery.
EXTRA POINTS
• Free safety Kareem Moore (knee) is eligible to begin practicing with the Redskins on Tuesday. The Redskins then have until Nov. 8 to activate him from the physically-unable-to-perform list or else he’s ineligible to practice or play the rest of the year, according to the NFL.
“It’s sure nice to have a guy like that to hopefully be able to play,” Shanahan said. “He’s made some strides. You’d have to test him out for sure, but he’s looking pretty good.” …
• Quarterback John Beck helped simulate Eagles quarterback Michael Vick on the scout team this week.
“Even though he doesn’t have the speed like Vick, he gives us a good look,” Shanahan said.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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