Clinton Portis is expected to play on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, but Rock Cartwright may be sidelined due to a rib injury.

Cartwright has sore rib cartilage and is a game time decision, head coach Jim Zorn said on Thursday.

"I know how [sore rib cartilage feels]," Zorn said. "It is very hard, especially when you start laughing. He just has to quiet that down.

"You'd like to see Rock get work in, on special teams and carrying the ball. He is a workhorse and he could [play]. It all depends on how well he can take a hit."

If Cartwright does not play, Portis, Ladell Betts and Marcus Mason will have to share the workload.

Portis will have limited reps in the game, Zorn said.

It will be the first time Portis has played in a preseason game since August of 2006.

Mason led the Redskins' ground game in last Sunday's 30-16 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. He collected 98 yards on 18 carries, plus caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Colt Brennan.

"[Mason] has good vision, but what makes him elusive is his quick first step," Zorn said. "What I like about him is that, when the play is shut down and there's a wall, he is able to move, change direction and start again."

"It's his ability to start and stop, and his desire, that showed up [against the Colts]."

-- HAMILTON'S BACK

The Redskins re-signed safety Justin Hamilton on Thursday, one day after fullback Pete Schmitt decided to leave the team.

Hamilton spent two weeks with the Redskins in May.

A seventh-round draft choice by the Cleveland Browns in 2006, Hamilton was a reserve in his rookie season, recording 15 tackles. He was released by the Browns in 2007 preseason.

Hamilton played his college ball at Virginia Tech. He grew up in Clintwood, Va.

Schmitt had re-signed with the Redskins on Aug. 4, but after one practice he opted to leave training camp.

"He stepped aside and said, 'You know what, maybe this is not for me,'" Jim Zorn said.

-- SECONDARY STUFF

The status of Shawn Springs for Saturday's game against Buffalo is uncertain after he suffered an Achilles strain this week in practice.

"I think he will be ready--he is close," Jim Zorn said. "After having one player with a ruptured Achilles [in Alex Buzbee], we don't want to take a chance with Shawn."

Carlos Rogers is also unlikely to play against Buffalo as he continues his comeback from a knee ligament injury. Rogers has continued to increase his practice workload in training camp.

If Springs and Rogers can't go, then Fred Smoot and Leigh Torrence would likely draw the start at cornerback.

Meantime, LaRon Landry is not expected to play. He is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Also, Kareem Moore was back at practice after missing Wednesday with an illness.

-- D-TACKLE UPDATE

Cornelius Griffin could sit out Saturday's preseason game. He experienced some mild back spasms during practice this week.

Anthony Montgomery is starting to work himself back into the mix at defensive tackle.

Still nursing a broken hand but wearing a protective cast, Montgomery could get some playing time on Saturday.

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache reiterated that Montgomery and Kedric Golston are in a tight battle for the starting job opposite Griffin.

"With Monty being out, Golston has gotten a leg up on him," Blache said. "And when Monty comes back, he has to strive that much harder to get back in the hunt."

-- FAVRE A JET-SETTER

All of a sudden, the Redskins-New York Jets preseason game on Aug. 16 has meaning. Brett Favre, traded from the Packers to the Jets on Wednesday, could make his debut against the Redskins.

Reaction to the trade? No one seemed to surprised, considering the acrimony that had apparently developed over the last few weeks.

But Shawn Springs said it would be "really weird" to see Favre in a different jersey.

Added Fred Smoot, who like Favre hails from Mississippi: "It goes to show you, this league doesn't care who you are, you will wear another uniform--unless you're Darrell Green."

Said Jim Zorn: "I was surprised it was New York [who traded for Favre]. I don't know how ready he'll be, but I imagine we'll get to face him. It has been a real emotional ride for the Green Bay franchise and for Brett."

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