Veteran Tight End Chris Cooley has been released by the Washington Redskins. Cooley has been with the Redskins for eight years after being drafted by Joe Gibbs out of Utah State in 2004. He is the team's all-time leader in tight end receiving yards with 4,703 yards and also amassed 33 touchdowns in his career.

Chris Cooley: "The Washington Redskins are releasing me today." twitpic.com/aoo1k9

— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) August 28, 2012

Injuries have plagued Cooley over the last three seasons, as he's missed 20 games. Mike Shanahan said the fan favorite was released because Cooley wanted the opportunity to continue to start for a team in the NFL and that he deserved that opportunity elsewhere. Fred Davis is the clear cut starter for the Redskins and now it seems as if transitioning wide receiver Niles Paul and third year tight end Logan Paulsen are virtual locks to make the teams.

Veteran receiver Santana Moss now becomes the team's longest tenured player. Moss was traded from the Jets in 2005.

I'm sure this is a sad day for many as Cooley has been many of ours favorite player over the past decade. Good luck to Chris wherever his career may take him.