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**Professor** · 09-15-2006, 02:51 PM

NFL.com wire reports

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs ruled Clinton Portis out for the game against the Dallas Cowboys, an announcement that surprised Portis and created yet another bizarre twist in the running back's injury saga.

"He didn't practice today. ... If a guy doesn't practice, he's not going to play," Gibbs said.

Gibbs said Ladell Betts, T.J. Duckett and Rock Cartwright will be the running backs against the Cowboys. Portis was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the injury report, with Gibbs citing soreness from the pounding Portis took from playing in the season opener against Minnesota on Monday night.

"It's really just because of soreness," Gibbs said.

"Actually, it's in a different spot in his shoulder. He's got some soreness there that lingered and kept him from practicing this week."

When told what Gibbs had said, Portis was taken back.

"I didn't know the decision had been made," Portis said. "I thought it was a game-time decision. As of now, my bag's packed and ready to go to Dallas, unless they come and tap me on the shoulder in the near future and tell me I ain't going."

Last week, the story was just the opposite. Portis spent several days downplaying his chances to make the season opener, saying he was not in football shape and had yet to recover from a partially dislocated left shoulder that cause him to miss nearly all of preseason. Gibbs then sprung a surprise after the final practice, saying that Portis had tested the shoulder sufficiently and would play as a backup to Betts.

Portis carried 10 times for 39 yards in the 19-16 loss to the Vikings, but he has complained of soreness all week.

"I can't do nothing but tell you to wait until Sunday. This bag is going to Dallas," said Portis, pointing at the equipment bag in front of his locker. "We have seen some miracle days happen. This ain't no situation for me not to be playing in."

As usual, Portis wavered from serious to playful, making it difficult to discern whether he really feels that he can play. At one point, he said: "I eat gunpowder twice a day now. As long as I'm on this gunpowder, I think I'm going to be all right."

Portis took a more serious tone when he expressed frustration over the week-to-week soap opera that his injury has become.

"I'll be happy when I'm healthy," Portis 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."

Portis wore pads and said he "ran a few routes" during practice, but that apparently wasn't enough for the coach.

"He'll probably tell me he can play on game day, but he didn't practice so we'll move him down accordingly," Gibbs said. "Hopefully he's going to be back next week, That would be my hope."

**gruntbygod** · 09-15-2006, 02:58 PM

I think with the Skins HB situation they shouldnt really be hurt short term minus Portis. Betts and Duckett are both capable of putting together a strong game. IMO this is a smart decision, as shoulder injurys for HB's can really limit effectiveness if not healed

CP24 · 09-15-2006, 03:10 PM

ESPNews reports Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (shoulder) will not play in Week 2.

**Professor** · 09-15-2006, 04:17 PM

This could all be a smokescreen from gibbs though, when portis was asked he was genuinely shocked. Gibbs could be trying to screw wit the cowboys. This is an important early season game and I would think that niether team wants to get to 0-2 in this division and therefore would want to give themselves the best shot to win with thier best players. If you watched on monday night, washington looked like a different team when portis was in there.