<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gary Fitzgerald @ Redskins.com)</div><div class='quotemain'>Clinton Portis, still nursing knee tendonitis and a shoulder injury, was able to participate in some drills and team work during all three days of Redskins mini-camp."My shoulder feels really good but my knee is still a little sore from running around," Portis said after Sunday's practice. "My shoulder really hasn't given me a problem. I am focusing on strengthening my quads right now so that I can get my knee healthy."Portis said he was ahead of schedule with his knee and shoulder rehab.The Redskins have the next six weeks off, but Portis expects to continue his rehab."It is now my time to work," the running back said. "I am going to take a couple days off and then it'll be getting in shape and getting ready for my teammates to depend on me again."Entering mini-camp, Portis was not expected to participate in any of the practices.To everyone's surprise, he saw action the first day, albeit on a limited basis.Portis started Friday's practice running sprints on the sidelines along-side wide receiver Santana Moss, who has been slowed by a groin injury.Portis then asked coaches if he could increase his workload.Said Portis: "I was just out running around and [the knee] felt fine. I wanted to do the drills. I asked [running backs coach Earnest Byner] if I could do anything, and he said, 'See how it feels.'"I got in the passing drills and that went well, and I tried to see what I could do in practice."Portis had a handful of carries and caught some passes during 7-on-7 drills and even participated in 11-on-11 work on a limited basis.Portis was diagnosed with knee tendonitis in May, so he was held out of most OTA work in May. He also is coming off shoulder surgery last December.That Portis was able to practice was welcome news for Gibbs."We knew he was getting closer, but we kind of left it up to him as far as when to [practice]," Gibbs said. "He looked good. He's ahead of schedule, so that is encouraging."Portis said after practice that his knee held up well during Friday's practice and his shoulder is close to fully healed.Asked if he thought the shoulder might be a problem once he absorbs a hard tackle, Portis replied: "I don't think so. The doctors really focused on strengthening my shoulder. I have more range of motion than they originally thought. I am able to do some things that I didn't think I would be able to do."During mini-camp, Ladell Betts got the bulk of reps during practice, followed by Rock Cartwright and Derrick Blaylock.Cartwright and Blaylock, a six-year veteran who signed with the Redskins in May, could end up competing for a roster spot as the team's third running back.</div> :thumbsup:
Watched an interview of him on skins.com, he sounded realllly tired and unenergetic I wouldn't rush him into anything considering he isn't the most durable guy on our team, and we could definitely use him come the end of the season when we need him the most. I say start off the season with a durable Betts and throw CP in when he feels 100%
