Skins' Portis remains questionable
RB unsure if he can go against Vikes on Monday night
Posted: Thursday September 7, 2006 5:37PM; Updated: Thursday September 7, 2006 10:04PM
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Clinton Portis' first Thursday character of the season: a football player who doesn't appear as if he's going to be able to play in his team's first game.
"Today," Portis said, "I'm the 'Injured Man."'
Portis wore a white baseball cap, a gray sweat shirt and black sweat pants, a drab outfit that matched the bleak outlook for his participation in the Washington Redskins' Monday night opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I would love to be out on the field," Portis said, "but we've got to look at the long run. We've got to look at the overall season instead of trying to jump back early and play in this game and then miss the key games we've got coming up behind it."
When it was suggested that Portis had just ruled himself out, he replied: "You know, I guess you're just as sad as I am about that news, huh?"
Portis is listed as questionable on the injury report and hasn't completely lost hope of playing, he said he was only "about 75" percent recovered from partially dislocating his left shoulder in the preseason opener against Cincinnati on Aug. 13.
"I would love to go, but at the same time, as the coach told me, if I'm not feeling 100 percent, don't get out and chance it," Portis said. "I've still got to get back into football shape. There's a difference between football shape and the conditioning that I've been doing, so once I get into football shape, I'll get myself back on the field asap."
Portis' slow recovery is a disappointment in two ways. First, for the Redskins, it could deprive them of a star back who ran for a franchise-record 1,516 yards last year. Secondly, for fans everywhere, it meant he didn't dress up in a costume or do anything special for the first of his weekly sessions with reporters. It was a letdown for anyone expecting something like "Southeast Jerome" or "Dolla Bill," two of his characters from last year.
"This is the first Thursday you're going to see me injured," Portis said. "And hopefully the last one."
Portis ran some agility drills early in practice. Coach Joe Gibbs said the back also put on pads and took part in a few plays during the period in which reporters aren't allowed to watch.
"We'll continue to take it day to day and just see what happens," Gibbs said.
If Portis can't play, fifth-year back Ladell Betts will make his third career start.
"I thought about it from the moment Clinton got hurt in the preseason game, so I'm well prepared," said Betts, who ran for 338 yards last year. "What stage would you rather be on? 'Monday Night Football?' Opener? A chance to start?"
Prospects also don't look good for another starter, cornerback Shawn Springs, who has been recovering from abdominal surgery. Springs is listed as doubtful, and he indicated he has much work to do before he can think about playing.
"When I'm able to run effectively, I'll come back," Springs said. "I'm not going to go out there and embarrass myself and embarrass the team."
The Redskins' only other injured player is defensive end Renaldo Wynn, who tried to practice Thursday on his sprained ankle, but had to stop early. He remains probable.
"Three days to go," Wynn said. "Anything is possible. Don't count me out."