Chris Cooley underwent surgery on his fractured right ankle on Wednesday morning at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.
Cooley was expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, but there is hope that the surgery could hasten his recovery to about four weeks.
Jim Zorn had suggested on Tuesday that Cooley could be a candidate for injured reserve. That prognosis has changed for the moment.
However long Cooley is sidelined, his absence from the Redskins' offense is "devastating," Zorn said.
"He is such a good player for us all over the field," Zorn said. "He is good for our football team. Much like Chris Samuels, he just wants to be around and he is going to want to be involved in what he can. But his [absence] on the field and the fight that he brings to the field--it's going to be a big loss."
Fred Davis, a second-year tight end, replaced Cooley in the lineup. Davis caught a career-high eight passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in Cooley's absence.
The Redskins suffered a host of injuries in Monday night's 27-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fortunately, the Redskins have a bye this week and can use the time off to rest and heal up.
Stephon Heyer, Samuels' replacement at left tackle, suffered a knee ligament injury during the game.
"He's in a brace," Zorn said. "I'm hoping he'll be fine by the next game [at Atlanta on Nov. 8]. He has some time."
H.B. Blades and Byron Westbrook left Monday's game in the first half with knee injuries.
On Tuesday, Westbrook was walking with crutches as he entered Redskins Park.
"We're trying to evaluate both injuries and we'll decide what to do based on the findings," Zorn said. "Right now it looks like [Blades] is going to be out for a game at least."
Jason Campbell suffered a sprained ankle, but he was able to finish the game.
Zorn acknowledged that Campbell may have been limited in his ability to scramble during the game. He was sacked six times by the Eagles in the 27-17 loss.
Albert Haynesworth, Clinton Portis and Mike Sellers also have sprained ankles. They were each able to finish the game.
On the rash of injuries, Zorn said: "This is part of a season, and we just have to make the best of it. And we will. We will get our players ready...We feel bad when guys get injured, but the team moves on. The team will stay together and put out great effort to pick up the slack."
