RB had only one carry in second half vs. Rams
Portis only received one carry in the second half of Sunday’s 30-16 loss to St. Louis and was used mostly on third downs. But the Redskins only ran the ball five times in the second half anyway.
On Monday, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Portis received only two carries after a 27-yard run (including one on the next play) because he said his right hand was bothering him and he was afraid he would fumble if he were hit. Portis said he hurt the wrist in the first series of the season opener vs. Dallas. And he said the only reason he went down on that play was to prevent a fumble.
“You seen me play the rest of the Dallas Cowboys game, you seen me play against Houston and you seen me start off the Rams game,” he said. “I have no idea why it changed.”
As for the run in which he intentionally went down before being tackled, Portis said, “If I had the chance to do it again, I would do the same thing with five people around me. Maybe I could have picked up four more yards. Four more yards I don’t think is going to determine the outcome of that game.”
Shanahan said the matter is closed — and he has no issues with Portis’ effort.
“He will always give you great effort,” Shanahan said. “I’ve never been around him when he hasn’t given 110 percent. He’s one of the most competitive individuals I’ve ever been around.”
It was only the third time in his six-plus years with the Redskins that he carried less than 10 times in a game in which he wasn’t forced out by injury.
“I consider myself the feature back, one of the best backs, and I’m gonna always feel that way,” he said. “I don’t think anything has changed. Sunday just didn’t work.”
