Clinton Portis still isn’t sure when he’ll return, but he knows he’s not going to rush back onto the field.
Portis has missed the past two games with a third degree tear of his groin. The original timetable was four to six weeks. That means the earliest he would return is the Nov. 15 game vs. Philadelphia.
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But, he said on his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan that, “I want to make sure it’s not recurring.” And, he said, “That soreness is still there in certain spots.”
He is hopeful, however, that two more weeks is all he needs.
“I hope so. The recovery process is going great…. I would love to [return for that game]. We’ll see where these next two weeks of rehab get me. Knowing the fact that I can go and not have setbacks, that’s what I’m looking to do whether that’s Monday night or the following game.”
He also understands he’s not guaranteed to return to the starting lineup; on Monday, coach Mike Shanahan declined to say he’d reclaim the starting job upon his return. Ryan Torain has rushed for 225 yards the past two games combined.
“There’s no guarantees in life,” Portis told hosts Holden Kushner and Mike Wise.
Torain does not protect the passer the way Portis can, so they could split a lot of the duties. Considering Torain’s injury past and Portis’ age (29) and recent injury woes, that would be a good thing. Quarterback Donovan McNabb fumbled vs. Chicago after getting hit on a blitz that Torain failed to block.
“I’m not a savior,” Portis said.
Portis said they could have a backfield similar to the New York Giants with bruiser Brandon Jacobs and the speedier Ahmad Bradshaw.
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