The NFL's second-leading rusher left Redskins Park during practice, wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and burgundy sweat pants as he stepped into his Maserati.

"I was hoping today that there would be a little more optimism, and there's not," coach Jim Zorn said. "He's still questionable."

Portis sprained his left knee in the 23-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers before last week's open date.

With Portis ailing, Ladell Betts appears set to start. Betts has missed the last three games with a sprained knee, but he was on the practice field Thursday.

"Betts looked good," Zorn said. "He's got a brace on, but made some cuts. That was encouraging."

Shaun Alexander would start if both Portis and Betts are unable to play.

Friendly advice: Chad Ocho Cinco is crediting Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb with helping him adjust his attitude at the start of training camp.

Ocho Cinco, who had spent the off-season criticizing the Bengals and broadly hinting to the media that he would appreciate a trade, said McNabb helped convince him to put his teammates first, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Ocho Cinco, calling McNabb a close friend, said McNabb reminded him that while he might feel miserable, millions of people would gladly trade places with him.

"I blew his phone up," Ocho Cinco said. "Donovan really is one of the reasons why ... I've been as positive as I have been this year, and even though we're losing, man, I've just been plugging away."

Injury report: After Steven Jackson watched practice in because of his injured thigh, coach Jim Haslett figured the Rams would be without their running back for the third time in four weeks. "I doubt if we'll have him, to be honest," Haslett said. ... 49ers running back Frank Gore missed his second straight practice. Although he expects to play against the Rams, he hasn't recovered from a painfully strained neck.

Extra points: The Raiders made no official announcement, but receiver Javon Walker said he is scheduled to have surgery on his left ankle, ESPN.com reported. "I'm done for the season," Walker said. ... Imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick expects to return to the NFL, according to his bankruptcy attorneys who laid out a plan to pay creditors based in part on his anticipated earnings. ... Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "absolutely" believes Dallas will make the playoffs, isn't considering a coaching change and would welcome Adam Jones back to the team if he's reinstated.

Compiled by Ed Cavanaugh from Tribune news services.

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