Clinton Portis says he hopes to play Monday night vs. Eagles

Running back Clinton Portis, who has missed half the season because of an injury, is "working" in hopes of playing this week as Washington plays host to Philadelphia on Monday night at FedEx Field, he said during a radio interview Tuesday.

In his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan's The Mike Wise Show with Holden Kushner, Portis, who last played on Oct. 3 against the Eagles in Washington's 17-12 victory at Lincoln Financial Field, said his intention is to join his teammates for the big-stage game.

"I would say I'm working," Portis said. "I'm working on getting back, man. I'm trying to get there. I'm trying to be ready for Monday night."

Because of their concerns about depth at running back, the Redskins would welcome back Portis as soon as possible. The nine-year veteran has been sidelined since he suffered a severe groin tear during the Week 4 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He returned to practice on the final day of work before the Redskins began their bye week, and practiced Monday as the Redskins returned. Coach Mike Shanahan has declined to offer a timetable for Portis's return to the field, though signs have pointed to Portis trying to rejoin the lineup for this week's NFC East matchup.

Second-year running back Ryan Torain has been productive in place of Portis, rushing for 391 yards (with a 4.3-yard average) in six games, including four starts since Portis was sidelined. Torain rushed for at least 100 yards in consecutive games, accomplishing the feat in Weeks 6 and 7.

But the hard-running, injury-prone back sat out the second half of the Week 8 loss to Detroit because of a hamstring injury. Rookie Keiland Williams was the Redskins' only active back in the final two quarters at Ford Field.

Chad Simpson, who contributes primarily on special teams, has been slowed recently by a hamstring problem. James Davis, recently signed to the practice squad, could be promoted this week to help in the backfield.

Davis apparently has drawn interest from other teams, so the Redskins may have to sign him to the 53-man active roster - if not this week then soon - to retain him. Selected in the sixth round (195th overall) by Cleveland in the 2009 draft, Davis said he has quickly learned Shanahan's offense because he played in a similar system at Clemson.

Even late in his career, Portis is considered among the league's best backs at picking up blitzes. In the four games Portis has sat out, quarterback Donovan McNabb has been sacked 16 times, including a season-high six times in the 37-25 loss in Week 8 to Detroit (the Lions had seven sacks in the game).

McNabb was sacked only six times in the first four games. Only Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler (28 sacks) has been sacked more than McNabb.

"I can't sit and say I would be the savior" in pass protection, Portis said. "I think it's a different mind-set of guys rushing [the quarterback] when I'm in the backfield compared to when I'm not. ... But as a team, we got to protect Donovan.

"You've got to protect Donovan McNabb. You can't have him on his back. You can't have him shell-shocked."

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(washingtonpost.com)