SB Nation DC - Donovan McNabb Says He Will Start Sunday Night Against Cowboys

Clinton Portis Committed To Being Better Teammate In 2010

2010-09-10T02:04:11Z

Not that he was ever clubhouse cancer, but Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis underperformed last year in his role as one of the team’s veteran leaders. A charismatic and engaging personality when things are going his way, Portis knows that he can’t switch between being engaged and disinterested whenever he pleases. Being a leader in the NFL is a full-time job, and Portis is eager to do just that this coming season:

“I made it my goal this preseason to make sure I was never the topic of conversation or headlines about missing practice,” said Portis, whose only missed time came when he sat out a few days with a sprained ankle. “I wanted to show my teammates I was dedicated to getting myself right.”

Though the Redskins likely won’t lean too heavily on Portis this season, he could very well end up toting the ball 250 times or so in Mike Shanahan’s offense. Of course, it wasn’t at all clear that Portis would even be with the Redskins in 2010 after what transpired last season.

“Did I question whether I would be back with the Redskins? Yes,” Portis said. “I know, as far as this town, it’s a bittersweet relationship. On Sundays, they love me. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday when the headlines come out, it’s a lot of hatred. So you get in that bittersweet relationship, it’s like wanting to start over, wanting to start new.”

Donovan McNabb Says He Will Start Sunday Night Against Cowboys

2010-09-08T03:18:46Z

The Associated Press is reporting that Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb will start on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys after recovering from an ankle injury.

Donovan McNabb said Tuesday his sprained ankle isn’t 100 percent, but it won’t keep him from starting the Washington Redskins’ opener Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

“Yes, I will be starting this weekend,” McNabb told ESPN980. “And I look forward to it.”

Donovan McNabb Returns To Practice After Sitting Out With Ankle Injury

2010-09-06T19:07:56Z

In what has to be great news for Redskins fans everywhere, quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to practice today after missing the last two weeks with an ankle injury. According to TBD's Mike Jones, McNabb did not seem limited in any way.

Donovan McNabb is back on the practice field after sitting out the last two weeks with a sprained left ankle. The quarterback showed no ill effects from the ankle injury, and moved well when rolling out for passes.

Mike Shanahan has yet to comment on McNabb's practice, but you have to think this is a good sign for McNabb's chances of being ready for Sunday's season opener against Dallas.

Report: Albert Haynesworth Might Not Start In Season Opener

2010-09-05T00:21:19Z

Just when we all thought that the continuing saga of Albert Haynesworth and Mike Shanahan was behind us, the situation has suddenly worsened following the Redskins' final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

After participating in 89% of the team's defensive plays on Thursday night, three members of the organization told Jason Reid of the Washington Post today that they were disappointed with Haynesworth's performance, along with his effort.

Haynesworth often looked disspirited, according to John Keim, and "failed to adhere to the principles of the new 3-4 scheme," according to two of Reid's sources.

All three sources indicated that Coach Mike Shanahan has lost his patience with the ongoing Haynesworth drama. During practice at Redskins Park Saturday, Haynesworth took part in very few plays, one of the sources said. He was moved back to nose tackle -- he had been working primarily at right end recently -- and removed from the nickel package.

The sources speculated to Reid that Haynesworth will probably not start next Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and may even be placed on the inactive list for that game. The decision will be Shanahan's.

Teammates Expect Donovan McNabb To Play In Season Opener

2010-08-30T22:21:34Z

It's still not clear whether Donovan McNabb's injured ankle will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the Cowboys, but for what it's worth, several of McNabb's teammates think he'll be ready.

Via Ryan O'Halloran of Comcast SportsNet:

"He's a fighter," receiver Devin Thomas said. "I'm sure he'll be ready."

Said linebacker Andre Carter: "For each man, when you get hurt, it's your decision. If he can go, he'll go. The Donovan we've known has always played through injuries. He sucks it up and is a tough quarterback."

McNabb has 22 days for that ankle, but Mike Shanahan continues to list him as being day-to-day. He will not play in the preseason game against the Cardinals Thursday.

Malcolm Kelly Practices, But May Have Suffered A Setback On Injured Hamstring

2010-08-30T17:43:51Z

Malcolm Kelly was finally back on the practice field today after sitting out pretty much the entire preseason with a nagging hamstring problem. The injury wasn't supposed to be this bad, but it was, and Kelly lost a good chunk of the preseason because of it.

How did his hamstring feel in practice today? Well, it depends on who you ask. According to Kelly himself, it felt fine. Via Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan.

Malcolm Kelly was pleased with practice today. Said his hamstring ''felt pretty good.'' Looks to be in line for Thursday's game.

Mike Shanahan, however, disagreed, telling people Kelly had a "setback." Via Redskins Insider.

Malcolm Kelly had a setback... Pull... Shanahan will have more info tomorrow. Not good news

Who do we believe?

Donovan McNabb May Miss Season Opener Against Cowboys

2010-08-30T14:00:25Z

It is unknown whether it is a bit of gamesmanship on coach Mike Shanahan's part, or true worry, but the head coach of the Washington Redskins now sounds doubtful that quarterback Donovan McNabb will recover from his foot injury in time for the season opener. Both ESPN and the Washingon Post covered a conversation with Shanahan following Friday's win over the New York Jets in which he issued the following statement about the health of McNabb and his ability to start against the Cowboys:

"I really don't know for sure," Shanahan said Sunday. "That's why it's day by day. We'll see how it goes."

This is an obviously worrying development for Redskins fans, as McNabb's health is critical to the team and any chances it has of making the playoffs this year. However, there is as much chance that this is "coachspeak" and McNabb will be ready to play for the opener. Mike Shanahan may want to fool the Dallas Cowboys for as long as he can before opening kickoff.

Rex Grossman To Miss Final Pre-Season Game Against Arizona

2010-08-29T16:59:26Z

Donovan McNabb is already a likely scratch from Thursday's final pre-season game against the Cardinals, (UPDATE: McNabb is now officially out for Thursday) and now, it looks like he'll have some company on the bench. Mike Jones reports that back-up quarterback Rex Grossman will also be sitting for the final game of the pre-season:

Grossman said he's not playing vs Arizona. Guess its the Beck and Bartel show.

So far, no official reason has been given for why Grossman will be sitting out, but since Grossman doesn't appear to be injured, the Redskins are presumably trying to avoid losing another quarterback to injury this pre-season. Rick Maese brought up the possibility of such a scenario yesterday on Redskins Insider:

It's not clear how much time Grossman will see next week at Arizona. McNabb is not expected to play, but the Redskins don't want to run the risk of Grossman also suffering an injury. As it is, he says he feels comfortable in his role with the team.

"I feel great right now," Grossman said. "Obviously Donovan's going to be the starter. But if they need me to play, I feel extremely comfortable knowing what [offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan] wants and in my abilities to run this offense."

Grossman's absence means John Beck and Richard Bartel will have the entire game to make their strongest closing statements before the Redskins make their final cuts.