He wants to play. He wants to do everything he’s done in the past: run the ball, pick up blitzes, throw a block or two downfield.
He just doesn’t think he’ll do so in the opener.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis sounded pessimistic Thursday about his chances of playing against Minnesota in the season opener on Monday night, joining starting cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen) on the sidelines.
Springs is listed as doubtful; Portis is questionable. Portis said he’s only 75 percent healthy. He ran routes out of the backfield in practice and even took a couple snaps during drills with pads on. But he was still limited. Springs did not practice, nor is he expected to do so today.
Portis partially dislocated his left shoulder in the preseason opener making a tackle after an interception. It was initially hoped he would return for the opener.
“You’ve got to look at the long run,” Portis said, “instead of jumping back early and then missing key games we’ve got coming behind this. Coach told me if I’m not 100 percent, don’t chance it. Ladell [Betts] and T.J. [Duckett] and Rock [Cartwright] have been working hard to get us to this point. For me to jump in after the work they put in I have to get back into football shape.”
And he doesn’t want to return for a limited role.
“I don’t want to come back half-stepping,” Portis said. “I don’t know how to play a small role. I have to play my style. I can’t be timid and worried about being hit. If there’s any chance of something going wrong, I don’t want to be out there. When I feel I can help the team and protect [quarterback] Mark [Brunell] and pick up the blitz and take the pounding that’s asked of me to take, then I’ll be out there.”
Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said, “It’s common sense. He’s a veteran guy; he knows. He’s in real good shape and we’ll continue to take a look at it. I’m surprised he could do what he did [Thursday].”
Portis’ pass protection might be what’s missed most. But they at least have veteran running backs behind him — Betts has 321 career carries; Duckett has 552.
Springs’ versatility and ability to cover elite receivers – which Minnesota lacks — makes his long-term presence vital.
“You don’t want to come back too early and then miss more time,” Springs said. “I’m taking my time, just trying to get healthy.”
Redskins Notes
» Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said he was approached by someone about using human growth hormones after he tore his Achilles’ tendon in 2004. Jansen declined, but is convinced a small percentage of NFL players haven’t done the same.
Jansen backed off his claim that 15 to 20 percent of NFL players use HgH, which he first said on HBO’s “Costas Now” on Wednesday night. But he said a “small number” of players use the drug, which is not tested for by the NFL.
“I’ve never seen first-hand knowledge of it,” Jansen said. “If there was anybody on our team that would use it, there would be guys on the team to confront them to say ‘This is not what we want to do.’
“You meet a lot of guys from other teams. Things get said around the league and you know it’s ever-present. [Taking HgH] takes a toll on you personally and professionally,” he said. “Why take the risk? … We’re stewards of the game. We need to represent it right.”
Teammate Andre Carter said it’s disappointing when he hears of anyone using HgH, but added, “It gives them an edge. Everyone wants be bigger and stronger.”
» Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot (ribs) is listed as questionable on the injury report, but says he’ll play against his former team Monday night. Smoot, who played four years in Washington before leaving after the 2004 season, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press, “Any time you go back to your old stomping grounds, you want to leave an impression on what they’re missing out on. … You want to go back and leave a sour taste in their mouth.”
