Gibbs: Portis will not play against Cowboys Click here to find out more!
NFL.com wire reports
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs ruled Clinton Portis out for the game against the Dallas Cowboys, an announcement that surprised Portis and created yet another bizarre twist in the running back's injury saga.
"He didn't practice today. ... If a guy doesn't practice, he's not going to play," Gibbs said.
Gibbs said Ladell Betts, T.J. Duckett and Rock Cartwright will be the running backs against the Cowboys. Portis was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the injury report, with Gibbs citing soreness from the pounding Portis took from playing in the season opener against Minnesota on Monday night.
"It's really just because of soreness," Gibbs said.
"Actually, it's in a different spot in his shoulder. He's got some soreness there that lingered and kept him from practicing this week."
When told what Gibbs had said, Portis was taken back.
"I didn't know the decision had been made," Portis said. "I thought it was a game-time decision. As of now, my bag's packed and ready to go to Dallas, unless they come and tap me on the shoulder in the near future and tell me I ain't going."