Clinton Portis suffers setback, running back situation for Eagles game is still unclear

The Redskins' running back situation remained unclear Thursday as Clinton Portis (severe groin tear) suffered a setback while Ryan Torain (hamstring) participated in practice at Redskins Park.

Sidelined since suffering a third-degree tear in Week 4 against Philadelphia, Portis sat out most of practice and got only "a few reps in there," Coach Mike Shanahan said. The nine-year veteran has said he hopes to return to the lineup Monday night against the Eagles at FedEx Field, but Shanahan said Portis may have set himself back a little with his workload in practice this week and "was a little bit sore today."

Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (back soreness) sat out practice, Shanahan said. Strong safety LaRon Landry (Achilles') was limited.

After Portis's injury was diagnosed, Shanahan said the team expected Portis to be sidelined four to six weeks. As of Sunday, Portis will have been sidelined six weeks.

Portis, however, has experienced swelling and soreness in his groin area while practicing this week, and "it kind of scares me," Shanahan said. "Normally, when you come off of this injury, your first week of practice, when you're trying to get back in football shape, and you feel good and it gets sore the next day, that's exactly what's happened.

"He had a good day yesterday and [he's] a little bit sore today. Didn't want to over push it, but we've got a few more days to practice and see how he feels. There's a chance. We'll just monitor it day by day."

Torain sat out the second half of the 37-25 loss to Detroit in Week 8. If Torain and Portis both sit out against the Eagles, former undrafted rookie free agent Keiland Williams is expected to start. Chad Simpson, who primarily contributes on special teams, also could have a role in the backfield and James Davis, recently signed to the practice squad, could be promoted to the active 53-man roster.

Determining whether Toran and Portis would be able to contribute against Philadelphia, at least in part, would be based on Shanahan's "gut feel" about whether they are in "football shape" and are capable of playing an entire game. Shanahan said. "Or are they going in for five or 10 plays and be out?" he said. "With a 45-man squad [excluding inactive players for games], it really hurts you if a guy just goes in there temporarily and can't play more than a few plays. You got to get a good feel."

Shanahan declined to reveal who would start if Torain and Portis are among the active players against Philadelphia. "That's part of the evaluation. You can't say who's your best running back," Shanahan said. "We got two guys that we know can play. Right now, both guys are unhealthy.

"If they were healthy, I can answer that question. But they aren't healthy, so we'll evaluate it during the week. If they're both healthy, if they are healthy next week, then I'll give you the answer to that question."

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(washingtonpost.com)