Betts to 'Give It a Go'; Portis Remains Hopeful

The Washington Redskins received encouraging news yesterday about their injured running backs, learning primary backup Ladell Betts plans to play tomorrow night against the Dallas Cowboys and lead back Clinton Portis expressed optimism about making "progress" with his situation.

Betts was back at practice in a limited role Wednesday for the first time since he sprained his left knee Oct. 12 in a 19-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams. Washington's second-leading rusher with 156 yards, Betts continued to test his knee in team drills Thursday at Redskins Park.

Although he sat out practice yesterday for precautionary reasons, Betts said he would "give it a go" at FedEx Field in a key matchup of NFC East rivals. "I pushed it pretty hard [Thursday]," said Betts, who added he does not expect to wear a knee brace for the game. "It held up, it didn't really bother me, so let's just give it a go.

"I didn't want to let my teammates down. It's a big week for us and I feel good about this, which was the big thing for me. As long as I felt comfortable cutting and planting on it, I think I'm ready to go."

Portis -- the NFL's second-leading rusher -- has not practiced all week because of a sprained medial collateral ligament, but he would not rule out playing against the Cowboys.

"I've got two days left," he said. "I'll be in the training room working, trying to get there."

With 995 yards rushing, a five-yard average and seven touchdowns, Portis has been the most productive player on offense for Washington (6-3), which is ahead of Dallas (5-4) in the race for an NFC wild-card berth. Coach Jim Zorn said Portis's chances of playing are only "50-50," but Portis's knee has responded well to treatment this week, Portis said.

"I'll probably get a good six treatments in, two massages" before the game, Portis said. "I mean, the progress has been better, but I won't say, 'Oh, I'm ready.' I've got till Sunday night to make that decision, so that's when I'll make it. It's not a lobbying thing. We're going to see how I feel before the game and make our decision then. It's not lobbying or protest. We're just going to find out."

· MORE INJURY UPDATES: CB Shawn Springs (calf) and strong-side LB Marcus Washington (shoulder) were limited in practice and said they might play against the Cowboys, though Zorn was more confident about Springs than Washington.

"I don't know about Marcus, but I'm much more encouraged" about Springs, Zorn said. "I did see Shawn run around, and I'm more encouraged about Shawn than Marcus. We'll just have to wait and see."

Anthony Montgomery, who has an Achilles' injury, is not expected to play tomorrow, Zorn said.

-- Jason Reid