Clinton Portis placed on IR, won't return this season
Clinton Portis’ season is officially over as the Washington Redskins placed the running back on injured reserve (IR) on Wednesday.
Portis tore his left groin muscle in a 17-12 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on 3 October. He missed the next five games before returning Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, a 19-16 overtime win. During the game, Portis re-aggravated the injury
after only five carries.
On Tuesday, he was positive about his return. He was hoping to be able to play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after an MRI revealed no further damage to the muscle, but the injury was severe enough to warrant placement on the IR.
His team-mates know what he brings to the team, and what they’ll be missing for the rest of the season.
"It's a huge blow," said left tackle Trent Williams. "He's one of the leaders on this offence and somebody who everybody looked up to because he's been getting it done for a [lot] of years. It's tough for the game, but we got to keep ticking."
Portis had 227 yards on 54 carries this season with two touchdowns. He had another 55 yards on five receptions. Over his nine-year career the 29-year-old back had accumulated 9923 yards and 75 touchdowns. He is only 648 yards short of the Washington’s rushing
yards record, currently held by John Riggins.
Replacing Portis on Sunday will probably be Keiland Williams, who has 195 yards on 49 carries and three touchdowns this season. Ryan Torain started four games for the Skins when Portis was originally injured, but a hamstring injury of his own will is likely
to keep him out of this Sunday’s game.
It could also be the end of Portis’ career in Washington. The team has the option of keeping him for next season, or releasing him, and with the emergence of Williams and Torain as dependable backs, Portis will probably not be retained for next season.
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