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Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was unable to practice Monday because of a sprained knee, and coach Jim Zorn said Portis is "50-50" for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Portis bruised his knee on the final play of the first quarter of last week's 23-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers but returned for the next series and finished the game. The pain got progressively worse after treatment following the game, however, and Zorn said Monday that Portis has a bone bruise on the femur as well as a sprain.
Portis is second in the league in rushing with 995 yards on 200 carries.
"He's questionable," Zorn said. "I'd say there's a 50-50 chance. I'm hoping that he'll be even better than that. Another day of rest, and then we'll see how he comes in on Wednesday. ... We've got to get the pain out of the knee and see how he progresses along."
Portis' absence from a major game against a division rival would be tough to overcome. He's been the engine of the offense, and his primary backup, Ladell Betts, has missed the last three games with a more severe knee injury. Shaun Alexander, signed after Betts got hurt, has contributed little, and the other running back on the roster, Rock Cartwright, is heavily involved with special teams.
Portis bruised his knee on the final play of the first quarter of last week's 23-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers but returned for the next series and finished the game. The pain got progressively worse after treatment following the game, however, and Zorn said Monday that Portis has a bone bruise on the femur as well as a sprain.
Portis is second in the league in rushing with 995 yards on 200 carries.
"He's questionable," Zorn said. "I'd say there's a 50-50 chance. I'm hoping that he'll be even better than that. Another day of rest, and then we'll see how he comes in on Wednesday. ... We've got to get the pain out of the knee and see how he progresses along."
Portis' absence from a major game against a division rival would be tough to overcome. He's been the engine of the offense, and his primary backup, Ladell Betts, has missed the last three games with a more severe knee injury. Shaun Alexander, signed after Betts got hurt, has contributed little, and the other running back on the roster, Rock Cartwright, is heavily involved with special teams.
