Ryan Torain More Likely to Play Than Clinton Portis for Redskins vs. Eagles

Filed under: Redskins, NFC East

Nate Allen's sprained neck means that the rookie free safety will almost certainly become the 11th Eagles starter to miss a game when Philadelphia visits Washington on Monday.

Allen will follow: center Jamaal Jackson and Leonard Weaver, who went down for the year in the opener; guard Nick Cole (knee), five games; quarterback Michael Vick (ribs) and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (elbow) three games each; offensive tackle Jason Peters (knee), two; cornerback Ellis Hobbs (hip) one and counting; and receiver DeSean Jackson, linebacker Stewart Bradley and cornerback Asante Samuel (concussions), one each.

And that's not counting Kevin Kolb, who began the year ahead of Vick at quarterback before suffering a concussion in the opener.

The Redskins' injury woes have been much less severe. Free safety Kareem Moore and offensive tackle Trent Williams have missed three and two starts, respectively, with ailing knees. Linebacker Rocky McIntosh missed one game with a concussion.

But then there's running back where Clinton Portis, Washington's starter when healthy the last seven seasons, is trying to recover from the groin he tore on Oct. 3 at Philadelphia. Ryan Torain, who filled in so well for Portis until injuring a hamstring on Oct. 31 at Detroit, has also been limited in practice this week. So it's quite possible that rookie free agent Keiland Williams will make his first NFL start against the Eagles.

Coach Mike Shanahan said on Monday and Wednesday that Portis was further along the road to recovery than Torain. However, the younger back has moved ahead the past two days.

"Ryan did a pretty good job," Shanahan said after Friday's practice. "There was no setback (from having practiced on Thursday). He's pushing himself pretty hard and hopefully tomorrow, he'll feel pretty good."

That's not the case with Portis, who only participated in the first part of Friday's workout.

"He's still a little bit sore," said Shanahan, who expects to have a better feeling on Portis after the back is re-examined by doctors Saturday. "He's biting at the bit and wants to go. We just have to make sure we're smart relative to his injury."

 

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