Washington Redskins: Clinton Portis Goes Down, Remember the Name Ryan Torain

“I heard it pop.”

If it’s not a refreshing beverage or a firecracker on the Fourth of July, chances are “hearing it pop” doesn’t really appeal to anyone. This is especially true when you’re talking about body parts. But unfortunately for Redskins’ running back Clinton Portis, he heard his left groin “pop” in last week’s game – possibly ending his run as the feature back in Washington.

It’s not that I want to jump to conclusions, but the 29-year-old Portis has suffered more than his fair share of injuries while in Washington and they don’t seem to be slowing down much.

Although labeled as one of the hardest working players of the team’s past offseason, Portis has been hampered through just four games with injuries stemming from his right wrist to his left groin. And with an impressive young  running back in the shadows, Redskins fans may soon see an unfamiliar jersey taking a bulk of the carries.

Portis is set to undergo an MRI on Monday afternoon and the team should have an official report by Wednesday.

Not long after Mike Shanahan took over as the head coach of the Washington Redskins, he was on the phone with third-year running back Ryan Torain. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Torain was an early target of Shanahan’s while displaying his all-purpose abilities at Arizona State.

After coming to Arizona State as a JUCO-transfer, Torain earned 2nd-Team All-Pac-10 honors as a junior, rushing for 1,229 yards and 10 touchdowns. Midway through his senior season, one in which he was considered one of the top running backs in the nation (Kiper listed him as No. 2 senior RB), Torain went down with an injury. Shanahan stayed positive.

At 6’1, 220-pounds, Torain is considered a complete back. Torain has demonstrated his ability to run over defenders, he’s physical both in and outside of the tackles, he has a good burst of speed, and he is very effective as a receiver out of the backfield – all of which are ingredients for a successful running back in Shanahan’s system.

Obviously I’m not a doctor and the damage has yet to be determined regarding Portis’ groin, but I think it’s safe to assume that the former Pro Bowler will be out for at least four weeks (and likely more). With Torain’s recent production as a recently called-up No. 2 back (2 games, 4.6 YPC), I don’t think Shanahan and his staff have any problem promoting the youngster and sticking with him for the rest of the season. Some argue that the read on Torain is inaccurate after just 25 carries this season (40 in his career), but no one can argue the kid’s potential.

As everyone probably knows, I am a huge Clinton Portis supporter and the last thing I want to see is his career hit the beginning of the end. But the fact of the matter is that Shanahan drafted Ryan Torain with all intentions of grooming him into a dual-threat running back in his zone-blocking scheme – and us Redskins fans have to look forward with that same feeling.