Washington’s Clinton Portis seeks another chance

Clinton Portis is hoping for another chance with the Washington Redskins.

The running back said Thursday that he wants to keep playing, despite back-to-back seasons that have ended early because of injuries.

Portis had surgery Tuesday to repair torn muscles in his left groin and lower abdomen. He ended his season with a career-low 227 yards in just five games.

Last year Portis played in only eight games before suffering a severe concussion.

Portis says he was ready to walk away two years ago because he had lost his “lust” for the game. He says he’s regained his enthusiasm under Coach Mike Shanahan.

Portis, who will be 30 next season, says he feels “like I can’t leave on this note.”

“Of course, I want to come back and play,” Portis said. “I think the previous two seasons, just losing the lust for the game, and not really knowing what I wanted to do — compared to finally putting the work in this off-season and getting back and having the system that you believe in and getting the right teammates around and seeing the right guys fight for the right purpose. All of a sudden you miss it again.”

Bryant explains sideline actions

Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant wants everyone to know the hollering and pointing he did on the sideline during the Thanksgiving game had nothing to do with his getting shut out for the first time all season.

He says the tirade caught by television cameras was about no more than miscommunication over a single play.

He’s not sorry about showing a little passion, either.

Interim Coach Jason Garrett says it reminds him of Michael Irvin, who was Garrett’s teammate for seven seasons. Even with his oh-fer in a loss to the Saints, Bryant remains among the leading rookies in all receiving statistics.

Moss frustrated by losing

Randy Moss says he isn’t frustrated over having just four catches since Tennessee took him off the waiver wire.

The veteran receiver is unhappy that the Titans have yet to win since he joined the team.

“The only thing that really frustrates me is winning and losing,” Moss said. “Me getting the ball and we lose the game, I’m still frustrated. Me not getting the ball and us winning would make me happy. Us going out here and just trying to find a way to win is really what’s going to satisfy me and everybody else in this locker room.”

Moss has had only 12 balls thrown at him in three games with Tennessee. He has four catches for 49 yards and no touchdowns, anemic numbers considering he ranks eighth in NFL history with 952 receptions for 14,927 yards and 153 career touchdowns.

Lions kicker out for season

The Detroit Lions have placed kicker Jason Hanson on injured reserve, ending his season with an injured right knee.

Detroit signed cornerback Tye Hill to take Hanson’s spot on the roster. Hill was among the Tennessee Titans’ final cuts this year. He started 24 games over four seasons for St. Louis and Atlanta.

The Lions drafted Hanson in 1992 and he has become their all-time leading scorer with 1,890 career points. Hanson has made an NFL-record 44 field goals from at least 50 yards. He also has lost 190 games in which he played, surpassing the previous league record set by ex-kicker Morten Andersen with 188 losses.

Hanson made 12 of 14 field goals in eight games this year, connecting on at least 80% for the 13th time.

Bills’ Edwards on injured list

Buffalo Bills starting defensive end Dwan Edwards is done for the season after being put on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury.

Edwards signed with the Bills last off-season as a free agent, and had started all 11 games. He was injured in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bills also signed tight end Mike Caussin. He spent the first 12 weeks of the season on Jacksonville’s practice squad.

Etc.

St. Louis Rams rookie cornerback Jerome Murphy was limited in practice after tweaking a hamstring, and fullback Mike Karney was limited with a groin injury…. The Oakland Raiders have signed backup quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and put quarterback Bruce Gradkowski on season-ending injured reserve…. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is dealing with another migraine headache and didn’t practice. Interim Coach Leslie Frazier says he hopes Harvin can participate Friday…. The New England Patriots put right guard Stephen Neal on injured reserve…. New York Jets right tackle Damien Woody expects to play in the team’s game at New England on Monday night despite not practicing while recovering from a sprained knee ligament.