Fantasy Outlook

Clinton Portis only played eight games last year thanks largely to a severe concussion but he claims there is no lingering problems from it. He was already having one of his worst seasons with a 4.0 yard per carry average and only two total touchdowns. Notable too is that while Portis is only 29 years old, he came out when he was 21 years old and has actually played the same number of seasons as Brian Westbrook (8) and there are only three active players with more carries (2,176) than Portis – Thomas Jones, Fred Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson and none of those are expected to be primary backs anymore.

Portis is reunited with Mike Shanahan but there is limited optimism that he will replicate his career best season of 2003. Shanahan has stocked the backfield with Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. All three were starters as of last year and there will be an open competition for tailback in training camp with three veterans. It is entirely likely that one of the three ends up released before the season but regardless the Redskins will have a viable option to Portis this year. That has never really been the case since Portis arrived in Washington and all three backs are clearly on the downside of their careers. 2009 saw the Redskins rank dead least in the league for rushing yards by running backs.

Further dropping Portis is a much tougher rushing schedule this year that includes weeks 15 and 16 at Dallas and at Jacksonville. Portis may reclaim lost ground and hold off Johnson and Parker from digging too deeply into his workload but there is much more risk on Portis than ever before. He’s been worthy of a first round pick each year but is no longer given the risk from age, a crowded backfield and potential health problems.

Posted: 8/31/2010 1:45pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday, Aug. 31, according to CBSSports.com.

Huddle Up: That's good news. It also keeps alive your theory that drafting him in the fifth round was a huge value pick. In all seriousness, Portis is the man unless he gets nicked again. Larry Johnson did most of his damage against scrubs (what's with dunking over the goalpost in a fake game?) and Willie Parker should be cut this week.

Posted: 8/29/2010 12:29pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis' (ankle) ankle injury is not believed to be serious, reports Gary Fitzgerald, of Redskins.com. Portis suffered the injury during the team's preseason game Friday, Aug. 27.

Huddle Up: Good news for Washington as the injury to Portis should not affect the running back's status heading into the regular season. Fantasy owner should consider Portis no better than a No. 3 running back at this stage of the year.

Posted: 8/10/2010 4:19pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (groin) was not able to finish practice Tuesday, Aug. 10, because of tightness in his groin, according to CSNWashington.com's Ryan O'Halloran.

Huddle Up: Here we go. Surely your lead back who has over 2,500 career touches (including playoffs) wasn't going through each and every two-a-day? Meanwhile Larry Johnson has been having a great camp according to various sources.

Posted: 8/3/2010 10:09am et

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he was impressed with RB Clinton Portis coming to training camp in tremendous shape and likes how Portis as picked up the team's new offense, reports CSNWashington.com's Ryan O'Halloran.

Huddle Up: There's little question the Redskins have been rejuvenated under Shanahan, no one more so than Portis. His familiarity with Shanahan's offense gives him a leg up on Larry Johnson and Willie Parker, and if the Redskins' line is as improved as the team hopes Portis could recapture some of the glory days from the start of his career when he was playing for Shanahan in Denver.

Posted: 7/29/2010 9:44pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis is determined to show he is still capable of having a productive season, reports Jason Reid and Rick Maese, of The Washington Post. Portis has slimmed down to 217 pounds after being more than 230 pounds last season.

Huddle Up: Portis is clearly the man in the Washington ground attack but backup Larry Johnson should also get his share of touches also. Portis has had some problems with injuries in the past so if you land Portis for your fantasy squad make sure you get Larry Johnson as insurance.

Posted: 7/26/2010 1:19pm et

The Washington Redskins have two athletic offensive tackles this year, which should help clear more cutback lanes, reports John Keim, of the Washington Examiner. If RB Clinton Portis is in top shape and practices more, he could flourish. Portis is supposedly in great shape and has bought in to head coach Mike Shanahan.

Huddle Up: Keim also speculates that Portis could also see more time on third downs than he normally does, since Larry Johnson and Willie Parker don't really excel in the passing game. In fact he goes on to say that Parker is not a lock to make the roster. It makes sense. Even though Parker is the youngest and has the least mileage, he's clearly lost the startling burst he had in 2005 and 2006.

Posted: 7/15/2010 4:52pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis is expected to hold off RBs Larry Johnson and Willie Parker to keep the team's starting running back job this season, reports Jason Reid, of The Washington Post. Portis is in good shape and is motivated to show he can still produce for the team.

Huddle Up: It's still very early to predict a starter, and Portis has accumulated over 2500 career touches (including playoffs). That's a lot. But Johnson and Parker aren't spring chickens either, and Portis knows Mike Shanahan's schemes inside and out.

Posted: 7/3/2010 8:15pm et

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis is currently scheduled to be the team's third-down back this upcoming season, according to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, reports CSNWashington.com.

Huddle Up: This would make sense and keep both he and Larry Johnson relatively fresh. It would also make him a favorable back for touchdown heavy scoring systems.

Posted: 6/26/2010 11:02am et

Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the team already has a third-down running back, reports The Washington Post's Rick Maese. Shanahan said, "First thing with a third down back is you want a guy who can block. We have the best blocker as a back in Clinton Portis that I've ever been around. So I think we do have a third down back."

Huddle Up: That would appear to give Portis a leg up in his competition with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker for touches in Mike Shanahan's offense. Of course, given that it's a two-Shanahan attack, it's entirely possible that carries will be determined by a Magic 8-Ball on the sidelines before each play.

Posted: 4/19/2010 3:00am et

The Associated Press reports Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said RB Clinton Portis has been cleared to participate during the team's minicamp.

Huddle Up: Concussions cut short Portis' season last year, and he's battled an assortment of nagging injuries over the past few years. Now he'll be sharing carries with Larry Johnson and Willie Parker, so a heavy workload shouldn't be a problem.

Posted: 4/6/2010 10:18pm et

CSNWashington.com, reports Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he sees RBs Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker being on the Week 1 roster.

Huddle Up: The Shanahan era officially begins in Washington and what signifies that more than a three-headed running back by committee. Fantasy owners should expect more of the same and look at the Redskins just like they did with the Broncos under Shanahan. Portis, Johnson and Parker will likely all play a role in the Washington running game but it should be difficult to count on any of them for consistent fantasy production.

Posted: 3/24/2010 9:20pm et

The Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan expects RB Clinton Portis to be in top shape for the 2010 season. Shanahan said, "He was 205 or 210 pounds and averaged (nearly) six yards a carry for two years (with the Denver Broncos). That's what I expect him to be - in great shape and doing the things he's always done with me. He knows he's got to be lighter, sure. I think we'll know as time goes on (what Portis's playing weight should be). ... I haven't talked to him about it, but I would say that he'll probably be shooting at 210, 212, 214 range. I think Clinton knows what's best for him and his body, what type of offense we run with the zone blocking scheme that gives him the best chance to be successful."

Huddle Up: Portis is clearly the No. 1 back in Washington but Coach Shanahan appears to be sending a clear message that he better report to training camp in shape or he could find himself taking a backup role. Regardless, Shanahan will likely utilize at least two running backs in the offense similar to the scenario that fantasy owners despised when he was in charge in Denver.