If Chris Cooley earns a roster spot this year, he's expected to be used only in "small doses." The Washington Post believes the Redskins would want to "keep him fresh and maximize his effectiveness" after last year's knee injury. The prescribed small role begs the question of why Cooley would kept on the roster at his $3.8 million salary.

According to the Washington Examiner, Chris Cooley will "play a lot this preseason" because the Redskins want to see how his troublesome left knee holds up. Cooley has looked healthier than expected in camp, but how his knee holds up in preseason action will be the real test. Even if Cooley's health checks out, he'll almost certainly have to take a pay cut from his scheduled $3.8 million salary if he wants to keep his roster spot.

Redskins TE Chris Cooley is expected to get in some reps at fullback in Thursday's preseason opener. Starter Darrel Young is dealing with a strained left hamstring. Cooley filled in for Young some in 2011, but lining up as a lead blocker isn't a realistic way to extend his Redskins' shelf life. Due $3.8 million, Cooley is very much in danger of being cut by the only team he's ever known.

One longtime coach told the Washington Examiner he would be surprised if Chris Cooley (knee) made it through the first week of training camp. Beat writer John Keim used the example to illustrate belief that Cooley was "done." The 30-year-old's knee has held up better than expected so far, but Keim is convinced he's "also not going to be a big threat after the grab anymore." Cooley is a roster luxury at this point.

Chris Cooley declared his troublesome left knee "100 percent" entering training camp. "I feel so much better with the way my bodies working, better than the last couple of years," Cooley said following Thursday's walk-through. "I have no issues right now. I spend no time in the training room." Due $3.8 million as a role player, Cooley will need an impressive training camp to keep his roster spot.

Chris Cooley's salary cap number of $6.23 million is the third highest on the Redskins' offseason roster. Only LT Trent Williams and CB DeAngelo Hall count more against the cap. While the Redskins are no longer in salary cap distress, Cooley's high cost can only work against him as he attempts to earn a 53-man roster spot. No longer a legitimate receiving weapon, Cooley will have to be an effective outside zone-run blocker in order to claim the backup job behind Fred Davis.

Chris Cooley's troublesome left knee did not swell during OTAs. It's a small step, but an important one considering Cooley's injury woes overt he last three seasons. He didn't need any fluid drained from the knee. Cooley is still going to have to show at training camp that he can serve as an in-line blocker in order to lock up a roster spot. Fred Davis is entrenched as the Redskins' pass-catching tight end.

Chris Cooley admits he has lost speed since battling a troublesome left knee injury throughout last season. This is despite an offseason weight loss of nearly 20 pounds. Cooley will have to show he can be an impact in-line blocker in order to retain a roster spot. He's not going to be heavily involved in the passing game behind Fred Davis.

Listed at 255 pounds, Chris Cooley reported to Redskins OTAs Monday weighing 237 pounds. Fred Davis is the Sins' slot tight end, so we're not sure how the added weight will help Cooley's chances of securing the in-line role. Cooley's continued tenure with Washington may depend wholly on his willingness to take a pay cut.

Redskins TE Chris Cooley acknowledges contributing behind Fred Davis this season is "going to be a challenge." Cooley also said that he trusts his troublesome left knee is healthy, and that he still wants to be "the guy" at tight end. It might be a not so subtle hint he's hoping for a trade. Due $3.8 million and set to count $6.23 million against the cap, it's more likely he is released.