Football
Associated Press 17y

Clinton Portis' knee ailing again as Washington Redskins camp loses its healthy glow

ASHBURN, Va. -- So much for the Washington Redskins team
that was supposed to be healthy.

Five key starters -- Clinton Portis, Chris Samuels, Marcus
Washington, Santana Moss and Randy Thomas -- are either sidelined or
are having their practice time curtailed less than one week into
training camp.

Running back Portis was out for the second straight day
Wednesday, reduced to riding a stationary bicycle because of
swelling and soreness due to tendinitis in his right knee, the same
ailment that hampered him during offseason workouts.

"As much as he thought he was ready to go, it's two-a-days,"
trainer Bubba Tyer said. "We're going to try to modify his workout
some and concentrate a little bit more on his strength work and his
conditioning work without the trauma of practicing, cutting and
turning. He feels a little discomfort when he cuts and turns."

Tyer said Portis will return in a matter of "days, not weeks"
but will not participate in Saturday's scrimmage against the
Baltimore Ravens.

Right guard Thomas was supposed to have recovered from last
month's knee surgery by now, but he's only just starting to take
part in some drills, doing a little more each day. Receiver Moss'
work is being limited because of a sore leg, perhaps from
overcompensating for the sprained groin he had this spring.

Strongside linebacker Washington has been rested for several
practices after feeling a twinge in his surgically repaired hip.

"My body will tell me when I need to rest it, so that's the
approach we're taking," Washington said. "Even some times when I
feel like going, we'll go, 'No, let's rest it.' I'm not really
concerned about it. I think when the season starts we'll be ready
to go."

That's the general attitude with all the injuries. Even left
tackle Samuels, who sprained a knee ligament Monday, is expected to
miss four weeks at most, which would put him on pace to return for
the season opener Sept. 9.

Also sidelined Wednesday morning were tight end Pete Schmitt
(bruised shoulder), receiver Mike Espy (bruised knee), linebacker
Dallas Sartz (strained hamstring), tight end Tyler Ecker (sore
groin) and receiver Carl Berman (hamstring).

"As long as I've been in this game, people have been getting
hurt," Thomas said. "You just have to prepare and try to get
back."

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