London Fletcher planning to return in 2013

London Fletcher is planning on returning for a 16th NFL season with the Washington Redskins.

There has been considerable speculation Fletcher, 37, would retire but he told Dave Elfin of 106.7 The Fan in Washington that he plans to play again.

Fletcher will undergo surgery on his left ankle today, according to the report, an effort to clean up an injury that hobbled him during the second half of the season. Later in March, he will have elbow surgery. They are the first two surgeries the remarkably durable Fletcher has had in his career.

“Surgery is the first step towards prepping for next season,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher has played well in the middle of the Redskins defense and the team doesn’t have a replacement waiting in the wings. It’s believed he will be welcome back for another season after the Redskins won the NFC East for the first time since 1999.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune