Redskins’ Barry Cofield set to return from injuries, surgery on Sunday

Barry Cofield revealed Wednesday that in addition to sustaining a high right ankle sprain, he also underwent surgery on a groin muscle in mid-September.

Cofield, the Redskins’ starting nose tackle, underwent surgery in May to repair a sports hernia — a tear in the lower part of the abdominal muscle. On Wednesday, Cofield said that he also had a procedure done on his groin, leaving him to rehabilitate both injuries over the past two months.

He said he was told the two procedures were not connected, but that his surgeons operated on the same location on both occasions.

“A lot of people didn’t know about the groin, and it bothered me pretty badly,” Cofield said. “It’s almost like the ankle came right on time — like, I think I would have had a hard time making it through the season the way my groin was. I had the ankle [injury] and then went and had the groin surgery done like right after that, so a lot of rehab — rehabbing two different injuries — and it’s been tough, but I’m very excited to be back.”

Cofield played 13 snaps in the Redskins’ season-opening loss at Houston, leaving late in the first half after it appeared his ankle got caught in the grass. The Redskins granted him the “designated to return” label two days later, which permitted Cofield to return to practice for the first time two weeks ago.

“When I realized that I was put on the list, I allows you to plan to use the whole time,” Cofield said. “Realistically, it was a beast, especially with the groin surgery and the ankle. It’s like you can’t attack either one, because you have to be cognizant of both. Realistically, it was the right thing for the team to do. I used every single day. The rehab was perfect, and I feel great now.”

It’s likely Cofield will make his return Sunday when the Redskins host Tampa Bay and shift Chris Baker, the starter at nose tackle in Cofield’s absence, back to defensive end.

Cofield, however, didn’t want to elaborate when asked about those plans.

“That’s making an assumption that that’s what’s going to happen,” Cofield said. “Bake’s been playing great at nose, so why would I come in and bother that situation? We’ll see how it shakes out, and Sunday, hopefully, the Buccaneers will be guessing to try to figure out where I’m going to be lined up at.”