Clinton Portis didn’t practice, but he did do something that offered a morsel of hope for Sunday night. He bent his left knee.
The Redskins still don’t know whether or not Portis will play Sunday. He remains a game-time decision because of the Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Those injuries often take several weeks to heal, but one team source said it is not as bad as the sprained knee that has caused running back Ladell Betts to miss the past three games.
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Betts, who’s sprained lateral collateral ligament is complicated by a hamstring tendon, practiced for the first time since hurting his knee in the Oct. 12 game vs. St. Louis.
Portis is the NFL’s second leading rusher with 995 yards.
“Any time you lose a player like that it’s bad,” Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said.
Betts said he felt good practicing, but that he’s not close to 100 percent. The Redskins want to practice him again today and Friday to determine how healthy he is. Betts was able to cut on some runs, which coach Jim Zorn termed “encouraging.”
Shaun Alexander, the NFL MVP in 2005, would see an increased role if Portis can’t play. Alexander was signed after Betts was hurt and has 25 carries in three games. Though he’s played in this offense, the running game is different and he’s had to get used to reading how to cut off his line’s blocks.
“I’ve always been comfortable with the passing game so that’s good,” Alexander said. “The run game … I had to get used to the angles and where they wanted me to attack the plays.”
Alexander is not as good as Portis, or even Betts, in protection.
“That’s a key issue for me,” Zorn said.
Redskins notes
» Linebacker Marcus Washington (shoulder), corner Shawn Springs (calf), defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery (Achilles) and guard Pete Kendall (knees) did not practice. Springs and Kendall both are expected to play.
» Washington is getting strength back in his shoulder, but, coach Jim Zorn said, “he’s not out of the woods yet.”
