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With Fred Davis out for the year, Redskins plan to re-sign Chris Cooley

The Washington Redskins' offense took a big hit on Sunday when it lost tight end Fred Davis for the season to a torn Achilles tendon during their 27-23 loss to the New York Giants. According to a source who spoke to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the Redskins will respond to the loss of one of Robert Griffin's primary targets by re-signing Chris Cooley, who caught 428 passes for the team in eight seasons.

Davis led the team with 23 receptions and 30 targets for 312 yards. Cooley, who was released by the Redskins in late August, has said that he believes a return to the Redskins was possible under the right circumstances.

"The way it looks to me is if something happens here, they would love to have me," Cooley told the Post last month. "If Fred gets hurt or something like that, I think I'd be the guy they sign. I think that."

Cooley played in just five games in 2011 before finger and knee injuries ended his season. He caught just eight passes for 65 yards, both career lows. Cooley had said in 2012 that his knee was fine, but the Redskins used him primarily at fullback in the preseason. While Cooley had interest from other NFL teams during his hiatus, he wanted to avoid signing a veteran minimum contract.

"If they call me at some point this season, that's great," Cooley said of the Redskins last month. "If they don't, that's fine too. I'm not going to worry about it too much. I'm happy with what I've done here. If satisfied with my career. If I don't play again, that's how it is. I'll go through the season and see what the offers are. I'll go through free agency and see if there's interest. If I'm not playing at that point, I'll see about whether to retire or not."

For the time being, as long as Cooley passes the physical he'll reportedly take Monday, he'll have to put that retirement on hold. He has familiarity with Griffin after working with him in the preseason, and he could be a real asset if healthy and used in the right ways. Washington's offense with Griffin has been a catch-all of backfield formations, and Cooley has always been a very schematically diverse player.

During his brief time with Griffin, Cooley came away impressed, comparing the rookie quarterback to the late safety Sean Taylor in Griffin's ability to make an immediate impact.

"I haven't seen anything from him [Griffin] to say that he's a rookie," Cooley told the Post in early August. "I never see doubt in that kid's mind."