Portis Thinks He's Out

The Vikings likely won't be seeing running back Clinton Portis, who remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.

As training camps opened, there was talk around Washington that Clinton Portis could be on his way to nearly 2,000 yards rushing in 2006.

But now it's looking like, if that's going to happen, it will have to come in 15 games.

Portis spoke to the media Thursday and declared himself to be just 75 percent healthy and said he doesn't expect to play Monday's season opener against the Vikings.

Portis separated his shoulder making a tackle following a Mark Brunell interception in the Redskins' first preseason game and hasn't been on the field since. It was hoped that by shutting him down for the remainder of the preseason that he would be able to return at or near 100 percent for the regular season opener.

Instead, it appears Ladell Betts will get the start. The last time the Vikings played Washington, Portis was also out and Betts ran 26 times for 118 yards and a TD.

FRIDAY NOTES
* The Daunte Culpepper Era got off to a bad start Thursday as the Dolphins lost to the Steelers. Culpepper, who is recovering from knee surgery on three ligaments, had a pair of interceptions in the 28-17 loss.
* Former Viking Brian Williams was arrested for DWI last weekend in Jacksonville and made his arrest worse by using a string of obsenities and racial slurs with the arresting officer, according to published reports.