Portis Won’t Face Dallas

Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs ruled Clinton Portis out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, an announcement that surprised Portis and created yet another twist in the running back’s injury saga.

“He didn’t practice today [Friday]. If a guy doesn’t practice, he’s not going to play,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs said Ladell Betts, T.J. Duckett and Rock Cartwright will be the running backs against the Cowboys. Portis was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the injury report, with Gibbs citing the pounding Portis took during the Monday night season opener against Minnesota.

“It’s really just because of soreness,” Gibbs said. “Actually, it’s in a different spot in his shoulder. He’s got some soreness there that lingered and kept him from practicing this week.”

When told what Gibbs had said, Portis didn’t know the decision already had been made.

“I thought it was a game-time decision,” he said. “As of now, my bag’s packed and ready to go to Dallas, unless they come and tap me on the shoulder in the near future and tell me I ain’t going.”

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook did not practice because of swelling in his knee and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Westbrook left practice Thursday because of the injury. Coach Andy Reid said he expected Westbrook to play.

“He’ll be fine,” Reid said. “It’s all stuff he’s had before.”

In Philadelphia’s season-opening 24-10 victory at Houston, Westbrook ran 17 times for 71 yards, caught four passes for 61 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception. He also returned three punts for 25 yards.

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Tampa Bay running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams returned to practice and said he doesn’t think back spasms will prevent him from playing against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I feel pretty good, went through practice and had a pretty good workout,” Williams said. “If push came to shove and it was a game, I could have and probably would have” played.

Coach Jon Gruden said he was “concerned, but optimistic” about Williams, who was still listed as probable on the injury report.

“It’s a little thing that’s inhibited him for the last seven or eight days, but he is improving,” Gruden said. “That’s a good sign.”

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Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t miss a practice all week as he recovers from an appendectomy, but he remains questionable for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Monday night game at Jacksonville.

In the Steelers’ minds, perhaps. The Jaguars aren’t buying it.

“We are pretty confident we are going to see Big Ben,” Jacksonville Coach Jack Del Rio said.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (shoulder), listed as questionable earlier in the week, was upgraded to probable.

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Linebacker Mike Peterson and defensive linemen Paul Spicer and Marcus Stroud of the Jaguars returned to practice and were expected to play against the Steelers.

They remained questionable on the team’s injury report, but showed signs of improvement after sitting out practice on Thursday.

Guard Chris Naeole, though, was added to the injury report because of a knee injury. He was listed as questionable.

The Jaguars will be without defensive end Reggie Hayward, who ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon in the season opener against Dallas and was put on injured reserve.

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Carolina’s Steve Smith, the league’s top receiver last season, did not practice with the Panthers because of a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Minnesota. He has been out since straining his right hamstring in practice Sept. 5.

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The San Francisco 49ers upgraded injured left tackle Jonas Jennings from doubtful to questionable, raising hopes he could play in Sunday’s home opener against the St. Louis Rams.

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San Diego’s City Council and Board of Supervisors took the first step Friday toward forming a partnership that could help the Chargers develop a new stadium within the county.

“It’s a humble beginning, I think, but it’s an important step,” Supervisor Ron Roberts said.

Under the terms of their Qualcomm Stadium lease, the Chargers are free to negotiate with other cities after Jan. 1, 2007. Mayor Jerry Sanders said the city and county have to get involved “before the cities around the nation weigh in.”

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-- Tony Perry