Redskins coach Mike Shanahan insisted Sunday that Chris Cooley has encountered no setbacks with his troublesome left knee. It's perhaps a good sign for a player who needed the knee drained 15 times before going on I.R. last October, but there are no guarantees. Cooley is still owed a $3.8 million base salary and holds a salary cap number of $6.23 million. He'll almost certainly have to restructure in order to make the Redskins.

According to Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, Chris Cooley "feels as good as he's felt for the last couple years." "The knee is feeling great. His weight is down," Shanahan said. "There's been no swelling, so hopefully he is full speed once we get started with our OTA days and you know, he can stay injury-free." Shanahan could be making the comments in an effort to pump up Cooley's feeble trade value ahead of the draft. With a cap number of $6.23 million, he's a strong candidate for release.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reiterates that Chris Cooley is a candidate for release. The comments are made in the wake of news that Niles Paul has been moved from wide receiver to tight end. Cooley has a cap number of $6.23 million in 2012, is coming off a knee injury and the Redskins are up against the cap due to league penalties. Fred Davis is the team's primary tight end.

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora expects Chris Cooley to be a candidate for release. La Canfora is simply stating the obvious, as Cooley is set to make $3.8 million in 2012 after missing 20 games with injury the past three seasons. Cooley has said he has "no doubt" he'll be back in Washington, so it's possible he'll be amenable to returning at a reduced salary.

Chris Cooley (knee) has "no doubt" that he will be back with the Redskins in 2012. Cooley downplayed concerns about his troublesome knee, suggesting it won't be a problem in spring workouts. With the Redskins prioritizing a Fred Davis re-signing, we're not nearly as confident as Cooley that he will return at $3.8 million in 2012.

Citing a source with knowledge of the situation, Profootballtalk.com reports Chris Cooley's $3.8 base salary has a cap number of $6.23 million in 2012. Coordinator Kyle Shanahan's comments notwithstanding, Cooley is far from a lock to be on the team next September. Fred Davis, now a superior player, is a free agent after the season, so the Redskins could opt to apply money saved by releasing Cooley toward a contract for their new starter.

Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan envisions Chris Cooley (injured reserve, knee) back with the team in 2012. "Cooley didn't get to do as much this year, but that wasn't because of Fred [Davis]," said Shanahan. "That was because of Cooley missing training camp and him being slowed down by his knee. ... I'm excited to get him back and get him healthy, and Cooley has a great future here and you need two tight ends." There's still a good chance Cooley will be asked to take a paycut on his $3.8 salary next season.

Chris Cooley (injured reserve, knee) said microfracture surgery is the last option. According to Dr. James Andrews, microfracture surgery would give Cooley just a 50-50 chance of playing again. Cooley revealed Thursday that he needed his left knee drained 15 times this season, blamed the lockout for his struggles to get to 100 percent and admitted he was used as a blocker because he couldn't be fast or quick out of cuts. It's a lot of red flags for the Cooley, who is likely to be released this summer.

According to the Washington Times, the Redskins can save $2 million in 2012 salary cap space if they release Chris Cooley before June 1 and $3.8 million if they cut him after that date. It's not a great situation for Cooley. The Redskins will pay his forthcoming $100,000 workout bonus, but he's probably going to be a post-June 1 cap casualty and miss out on the heart of free agency. Cooley may end up having to play for the veteran's minimum, or something close to it next season. NFL teams will be very concerned with the health of his troublesome left knee.

Chris Cooley (injured reserve, knee/finger) has most likely played his last game as a Redskin, sources tell beat writer Chris Russell. Cooley is due $3.8 million next season, turns 30 in July and will have missed 20 games due to injury in the last three years. With emerging stud Fred Davis set to hit free agency after the 2012 season, the Redskins need to be saving money at the tight end position. Cooley's knee woes also appear chronic, making it doubtful he ever returns to the form he showed while becoming the Redskins' all-time leader in catches by a tight end.