Redskins place RB Hightower, TE Cooley on IR

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have placed tight end Chris Cooley and running back Tim Hightower on injured reserve. Cooley's season comes to an end because of a balky left knee and a broken left index finger. He had knee surgery at the end of last season and never fully recovered, then hurt his finger in the loss to Philadelphia on Oct. 16.

He had his knee re-examined in the wake of the finger surgery to determine whether he should return this season. Cooley caught eight passes for 65 yards, by far his worst season. Fred Davis has picked up the slack and become the Redskins' top passing game threat. Hightower tore the ACL in his left knee in Sunday's loss to Carolina. His season ends with 321 yards on 84 carries. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press