ASHBURN (WTVR) - The Washington Redskins released veteran fullback/tight end Chris Cooley on Tuesday, but held open the possibility of bringing him back under a different contract.
The 30-year-old Cooley has spent his entire eight-season NFL career with Washington. He has 428 career receptions, including three seasons of at least 70.
Cooley was scheduled to make $6 million this year, but would have been sharing playing time behind starting tight end Fred Davis. Cooley did start all three preseason games at fullback but Darrell Young figures to get that job back when he returns from injury.
Cooley wanted to be a starter and may find that opportunity elsewhere, but admitted Tuesday it would be tough for him to play for another team. The Redskins drafted Cooley out of Idaho State nine years ago.
Inteam history, only Art Monk, Charley Taylor, Gary Clark and Santana Moss have more than Cooley's 428 receptions.
Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said: “We know how much Chris has meant to this organization and this community" adding that cutting the popular veteran was "as tough as it gets."
Cooley had only eight catches in five games last season before he was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list because of a broken finger and an ailing knee.
