Redskins Limp Into Showdown With Cowboys

You would think that a week off would help heal some of those lingering football injuries. After all, Dallas will welcome back quarterback Tony Romo after their bye week.

Washington isn't seeing that take place.

Clinton Portis may miss Sunday's game with a MCL sprain that got worse during the bye. His main backup, Ladell Betts, hasn't played in a month due to the exact same injury. He could return to action this week but still hasn't practiced. If neither can go then the Redskins are looking at starting Shaun Alexander. Yikes!

To make matters worse, Santana Moss has been held out of practice with his sore hamstring. His hammy limited him in the Redskins last game, a loss to the Steelers.

At best, the Redskins will have two of their most important playmakers limited Sunday night. Two guys who had big days against the Cowboys in their first meeting.

Shawn Springs takes his usually spot on the injury list but the impact of not having him isn't as severe now that DeAngelo Hall has been signed. Losing Marcus Washington would be a huge blow.

The biggest blow is if Portis can't go. He thinks he will play even if it is only as a decoy.

The good news? "I had 15 injuries two weeks ago," Portis said. "Now I've only got one."

The bad news? "Right now I can't straighten it out," he said of his left leg. "I just started bending it today. So hopefully by the end of the week. We've got five days, so hopefully I'll be ready."

Some good news: Jason Taylor practices and should play.