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BY RICH CAMPBELL

The Washington Redskins are in no rush to get running back Clinton Portis back into the lineup after he suffered a concussion last Sunday. And that's OK with Portis, even if it means missing the chance to beat his former team.

Portis is "very, very doubtful" for Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos, Redskins coach Jim Zorn said yesterday. Portis was knocked unconscious in the first quarter of last Sunday's game against Atlanta, and he skipped practice yesterday to meet with a doctor and have some tests evaluated.

Portis met with Zorn in Zorn's office yesterday morning, and "you could tell he wasn't quite 100 percent with his tests," Zorn said.

He added: "We're not going to mess around with the concussion."

Portis is known for playing through injuries, but he seems to be fine with a conservative approach to this one.

"I'm not going to go out just because it's the Broncos and put myself at risk and not give myself the proper recovery time," he said on Tuesday during his weekly appearance on ESPN980-AM. "I think me being on the field is more important in the long run than trying to rush back for a game."

Portis' acceptance of an extended recovery timetable belies his interpretation of a slew of recent studies on the long-term effects of concussions on NFL players.

More and more scientific evidence has emerged in the last few years detailing the severe health problems that result from concussions accumulated during NFL players' careers.

"When you look at all those tests and everything to come out, those are from people who never touched a football field," Portis said on the radio. "It's always somebody else that has got the greatest idea and think we shouldn't be going this way, but it's really not people that's been on the field. In football, it's rare that you're going to come out unscathed."

scuffle results in fines

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was fined by the NFL for his role in the Redskins' sideline skirmish with the Atlanta Falcons late in the second quarter last Sunday.

Free safety LaRon Landry also was fined for his late hit on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, which started the whole sideline incident.

Both players said yesterday that they had received notice from the league office, but they would not disclose the amounts of the fines.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall was at the center of the incident, but he was not available for comment yesterday. An NFL spokesman said the league will confirm the identities of those fined tomorrow.

Landry's late hit on Ryan on Atlanta's sideline caused an uproar on the Falcons' bench. Hall, who was chasing the play, was grabbed by Atlanta director of athletic performance Jeff Fish and later by head coach Mike Smith, as a shoving match evolved around them.

Haynesworth soon ran over and incurred a personal foul penalty for pushing a Falcons player.

"I got a fine. It's alright," said Haynesworth, who signed a record-breaking $100 million free-agent contract in the offseason. "We make money here, so I can pay it. As long as I still get a check next week, I'll be OK."

Hall told D.C. radio station WJFK-FM 106.7 on Tuesday that he was "disheartened" that only a few teammates came to his rescue on the Falcons' sideline. Haynesworth yesterday explained his decision to intervene.

"I'm not going to let my teammate get jumped or beat up anything like that," he said. "Mike Smith did have him hemmed up over there. I couldn't let that old man beat up my cornerback, so I had to go over there and save him."

Defensive end Phillip Daniels, meanwhile, defended the players that opted not to get involved. Daniels was not in the game for the play that started the mêlee, and he remained on the Redskins' sideline.

"I'm just glad that it didn't escalate into something bigger," he said. "If more guys had went over there, it would have."

Landry said he received notice of his fine from the league office, but he hadn't yet opened the letter.

"I might just wait," Landry said with a smirk. "What I'm going to do is open the envelope and send it straight to my agent and let him tell me what the damage is. We'll go through the whole appeal process."

HORTON LOST FOR SEASON

Strong safety Chris Horton was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list yesterday because of a damaged ligament near the big toe on his left foot. He had surgery yesterday afternoon and could be sidelined for up to six months.

"It's a major setback because we count on him so much to do so many things, not only as our strong safety, but on special teams, as well," Zorn said. "He'll be a big loss. It holds us back on the defensive side of the football."

Reed Doughty will start at strong safety going forward. Doughty alternated with Horton in the starting lineup this season, and he has started twice.

Zorn said that Landry will continue playing free safety as his primary position. Landry plays strong safety in some packages, and that won't change with Horton out.

EXTRA POINTS

The Redskins re-signed running back Quinton Ganther to take Chris Horton's roster spot. Ganther was originally signed on Oct. 20 and was inactive for Washington's Week 7 game against Philadelphia before being released last Saturday.

Zorn confirmed that the Redskins will not attempt to sign free agent running back Larry Johnson.

Running back Ladell Betts did not practice yesterday because of a sprained ankle. He is expected to practice today and start on Sunday.

Right tackle Mike Williams (ankle) also missed practice. Quarterback Jason Campbell (ankle), cornerback Byron Westbrook (knee) and punter Hunter Smith (groin) were limited in practice yesterday.

Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com

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