Once again, Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is saying the opposite of his star running back. And once again, Clinton Portis shares a different opinion on his game day status.
Gibbs said Friday Portis has been downgraded to doubtful and likely won’t play against Dallas on Sunday night. Cornerback Shawn Springs is out.
Portis wasn’t able to practice this week, save for running some pass routes, and now appears highly unlikely for Dallas.
“If a guy doesn’t practice, he’s not going to play so we’ll downgrade him,” Gibbs said. “He’ll probably tell me he can play on gameday, but he didn’t practice so we’ll move him down accordingly.
“It’s really just because of soreness. Actually, it’s in a different spot in his shoulder. He’s got some soreness there that lingered and kept him from practicing. Hopefully he can come back next week.”
Portis was surprised by the news. After all, he didn’t practice before the opener against Minnesota and played in the game.
“As faras I know, he’s leaving it up to me,” Portis said. “I didn’t know the decision had been made. I thought it was a game-time decision. I feel different than yesterday; I feel better.
“I can’t do nothing but tell you to wait until Sunday. This bag is going to Dallas. This ain’t no situation for me not to be playing in. … I think that’s what they’re thinking [the shoulder is worse], but, man, I’ll tell you I eat gunpowder twice a day now. As long as I’m on this gunpowder, I think I’m going to be all right.”
The latest turn of events is the opposite of what happened before the opener. On Sept. 7, Portis said he was 75-percent recovered from the partially dislocated shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason opener; a day later Portis said he was aiming to return for Dallas. And a day after that, Gibbs said Portis would play. He did, carrying 10 times for 39 yards in the loss.
This week, Portis has said all along he would be ready.
But even Portis, as his group interview went on, sounded a note of pessimism.
“I’ll be happy when I’m healthy,” he said. “Hopefully we can get this over with real soon and I can join my teammates and be on the field and it’s not an issue. I don’t like this being an issue going into the weekend. Am I up or down, playing or not? Whatever’s best for the team.”
Ladell Betts, T.J. Duckett and Rock Cartwright will split time in the backfield in Portis’ stead. Betts will start as he did in the opener.
“We have enough backs to carry the load,” Betts said.
Redskins (0-1) at Cowboys (0-1)
» When: Sunday, 8:15 p.m.
» Where: Texas Stadium
» TV: NBC » Radio: 94.3/92.7 FM/730 AM
