Portis Suffers Chest Strain, Sidelined in Second Half

Redskins RB Clinton Portis returned to the sideline heavily bandaged after suffering a chest strain in the first half. (Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)

IRVING, Tex., Dec. 26 -- Washington Redskins tailback Clinton Portis had only one carry in the second half of Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, ending his game early because of a strain between his chest and shoulder. The injury most likely will end his quest to become the first NFL player to rush for at least 1,500 yards in each of his first three seasons.

Portis, who was replaced by Ladell Betts, finished the day with 32 yards on 10 carries, leaving him 185 yards short of his goal. He said that he hoped to play in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings next week, but played down the milestone. Portis is also 125 yards away from breaking the Redskins' single-season rushing record.

"I hope [the injury is] not that serious, but who knows," he said. The record "would mean a lot but it ain't the end of the world. Records are made to be broken. If I don't do it, somebody else will do it. I had a golden opportunity, but God just didn't have it meant for me."

Portis's first two NFL seasons were with the Denver Broncos, who sent him to the Redskins in a trade for cornerback Champ Bailey. Portis has been frustrated by a season that has fluctuated between virtuoso performances and tepid results. Nonetheless, Portis entered the game needing only 217 yards -- an average of 108.5 yards -- in the Redskins' last two games. He had been averaging 91.6 yards per game.

Portis suffered the injury in the first half and continued to play, but it got worse. His only second-half carry came on Washington's first possession of the third quarter. He didn't play thereafter. His replacement, Betts, finished with 13 carries for 43 yards.

"Any time Clinton Portis comes out of there, you've got to worry," Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said.

Last season with the Broncos, Portis suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of games in weeks 16 and 17. When asked if the pair of late-season injuries was a coincidence, he said: "It's just style of running. When you throw your body around for 20 weeks, it's bound to happen eventually."

Smoot Sidelined With Back Sprain

Cornerback Fred Smoot was forced to spend Sunday night at a hospital. He sprained his back and felt nauseous after a pileup late in the third quarter on a fumble recovery. Smoot was driven off the field in a cart with a towel draped over his face.

Dallas had a fourth and one from the Washington 26-yard line when Vinny Testaverde completed a 20-yard pass to Keyshawn Johnson. Smoot was called for a face-mask penalty after pulling Johnson's helmet following the catch. But Smoot suffered the worst of the play -- he was on the ground for several minutes as trainers checked him out. He eventually walked off the field. . . .

The best aspect of linebacker LaVar Arrington's second game since missing 11 straight was that he didn't aggravate his bone bruise. Arrington played sparingly, just a few plays on passing situations. Late this week, Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, said that the Redskins planned to use Arrington more depending on Dallas's offensive plays. But Arrington played less than he did last week.

Brown's Good Return, Bad Fumble

Punt returner Antonio Brown, inactive for most of the year, saw the most action of the season in a roller-coaster performance. Brown put the Redskins in prime field position with a 39-yard punt return to set up Washington's second drive of the game. The Redskins took advantage of the return -- Jeff Chandler's 25-yard field goal gave them a 3-0 lead with about three minutes left in the first quarter.

On that return, he received a 51-yard punt at the Dallas 23 and burst through a seam in the middle of the field. He dashed up the right sideline before being forced out of bounds.

But Brown also fumbled with less than three minutes left in the game when safety Keith Davis swooped from behind and poked the ball out. The Cowboys recovered but didn't score.

The Redskins signed Brown on Nov. 3 after Chad Morton suffered a season-ending injury. But Brown wasn't activated until last week, when he returned three punts for only eight yards.

"I think I did well," Brown said. "I made some good decisions, catching the ball. On the last one, he [Davis] made a hell of a play."

Defense Still Trails Steelers

The Redskins gave up 306 yards and are now 93 yards behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the race for the NFL's top-ranked defense. Washington entered the game only 36 yards back. . . . Kicker Jeff Chandler ended his streak of five successful field goals with the Redskins when his 57-yard attempt at game's end came up several yards short. . . . Tight end Robert Royal's touchdown gave him three scores on only seven receptions this season. . . .

Washington's inactive players included defensive lineman Ryan Boschetti, defensive lineman Cedric Killings, tight end Dan Goodspeed, wide receiver Darnerien McCants, offensive lineman Jim Molinaro, offensive lineman Vaughn Parker and wide receiver Garnell Wilds. . . .

H-back Chris Cooley has been named the team's nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The accolade is given to an NFL player who makes significant contributions on the field and in the community. The winner will have $25,000 donated to a selected charity.