Future in Washington uncertain for back
Clinton Portis’ season is done. His Redskins tenure might be as well.
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Washington placed its top running back on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season and starting speculation about his future. Portis suffered a concussion in Washington’s Nov. 8 loss at Atlanta and has missed the past four games. A concussion specialist in Pittsburgh, where Portis spent Monday and Tuesday, failed to clear his return for this season.
On his weekly paid appearance with ESPN 980, Portis discussed the possibility of not playing again, or playing elsewhere.
“If it’s my time to look back today, I think I have had a great career,” Portis told host, and ex-Redskin, Rick ‘Doc’ Walker. “I’m 28, man. I’m not gonna be devastated, ‘Oh, man football is over.’ I enjoyed it. I have fun doing it. I gave everything I had doing it. The day I look back on my career I will enjoy the highlights. If I get to continue and have to play for someone else, I will give it my all there as well.”
In a statement, Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato sounded as if he expected Portis to play for Washington in 2010.
“After consulting with our medical staff and other specialists,” Cerrato said, “Clinton’s prognosis is good and we expect him to make a full recovery and return to the Redskins.”
And Portis’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus tweeted Tuesday afternoon that this latest move was precautionary.
“After speaking with Clinton’s doctors I have been assured that he will make a complete recovery in time for the 2010 season,” Rosenhaus wrote. “He will be ready for 2010 and beyond. We are very optimistic about his Redskins future.”
Portis certainly did not rule out a desire to return to Washington. The Redskins traded corner Champ Bailey and a second-round pick for him in 2004 and he soon became a face of the organization.
“I would love to [return],” said Portis, who becomes the 10th Redskins, and their third former Pro Bowler, to be placed on IR this season. “The guys in the locker room are some great guys. Do I think there will be change? I do. If I’m part of that change will I be sad and devastated? I won’t.”
Portis’ future likely depends on two things: If the Redskins have a new coach and if the Collective Bargaining Agreement is extended, which would make 2010 a capped year. If it’s uncapped, then Portis could be cut without restricting the Redskins’ cap number. If the CBA is extended, it could cost possibly more than $14 million against the salary cap to release him.
Also, if there’s a coaching change, the new coach could desire someone else.
Portis, who has a base salary of more than $7 million next season, entered 2009 hoping to break John Riggins’ club rushing record. He needed 1,370 yards to accomplish the feat, but his season ends with only 494 rushing yards (and 6,597 for his Redskins career).
The concussion ended that pursuit, at least for now.
Portis said he passed eye tests last week — he’s suffered from dizziness during workouts since his concussion — but not the ones administered in Pittsburgh.
“Doctors feared that if I took another hit like that it could get worse,” Portis said. “I think I’ll get well.”
