NFL Notebook: 'Skins could get Cooley back

By: JournalNow Staff | JOURNAL WIRE REPORT
Published: October 28, 2009

■ Redskins: There's a chance Chris Cooley will be back this season.

Washington said that Cooley, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end, will have surgery today on his broken ankle. If the procedure goes well, Cooley might not be placed on injured reserve.

Cooley gave his own update via Twitter, saying: "3 pins go in the ankle tomorrow. Hopefully be back in 4 weeks. Thanks for all the support."

Coach Jim Zorn had said earlier Monday that Cooley would be sidelined a minimum of six to eight weeks and was probably headed for injured reserve. But that was before Cooley saw another doctor for a second opinion.

■ Chiefs: Kansas City has barred running back Larry Johnson from team activities pending an investigation into his use of a homosexual slur this week.

Johnson apologized yesterday to his team, fans and the NFL "for the words I used."

"I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate," he said. "I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said."

Johnson posted the slur on his Twitter account Sunday in a response to another tweet. On Monday, he said it again in refusing to talk with reporters, according to a recording made by the Kansas City Star.

■ Jaguars: Cornerback Rashean Mathis of Jacksonville has a broken index finger on his left hand and might not be ready to play Sunday against Tennessee. Wearing a pink and black cast, Mathis said yesterday that he still has a screw in his finger and several stitches. The stitches will be removed this week, but Mathis said doesn't expect to practice.

■ Lions: Coach Jim Schwartz wasn't about to tip his hand about the recovery of quarterback Matt Stafford.

Stafford wasn't much more forthcoming himself as the Lions returned to practice yesterday after their bye week.

Stafford missed the last two games with a knee injury, and with backup Daunte Culpepper (hamstring) also at less than 100 percent.