Still nursing a sore shoulder, Clinton Portis was back on the Redskins Park practice fields on Monday, working out on his own while his teammates went through a rigorous practice.
Portis, minus the sling he wore most of last week to protect his injured shoulder, did some stretching and light running during the Redskins' afternoon session.
"It feels okay," Portis said afterwards. "The pain is still there, but as far as my movement and being able to do everything, I feel fine."
It has been eight days since Portis suffered a partially separated shoulder injury in the Aug. 13 preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Portis is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of preseason. Coaches and team officials are hopeful that he will be ready for Redskins' regular season opener on Sept. 11, against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField.
Portis said he had a similar shoulder injury during his senior year in high school.
"That has helped me because I know what to expect [from the healing process]," he said. "The other good thing about it is, I'm not in a rush to get back and there's time for me to get fully healthy so it's not nagging throughout the season."
With Portis sidelined, running backs Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright and Nehemiah Broughton have gotten the bulk of carries in preseason action. Running back Jesse Lumsden and newcomer A.J. Harris, signed last week, are also in the mix.
-- INTENSITY PICKS UP AT PRACTICE
#### -- INJURED PLAYERS RETURN
Brandon Lloyd returned to practice on Monday and said he his hamstring injury had improved. He sat out Saturday's preseason game against the Jets as a precaution against re-aggravating the injury.
Lloyd said he will play in this Saturday's preseason game against the New England Patriots.
"Personally, I feel like I do so much work to be where I'm at, on the depth chart, that I need to practice," he said. "I'm a believer of preseason. I feel like I need the work."
Cornerback Ade Jimoh, who had missed the last two weeks with a bruised sternum, returned to practice on Monday. Safety Curry Burns, sidelined with a hamstring injury, was back as well.
Offensive lineman Jim Molinaro worked out on the side as he continues to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery. Team officials expect Molinaro to be back at practice later this week.
Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (knee sprain), linebacker Khary Campbell (bruised knee) and tight end Robert Johnson (ankle sprain) sat out Monday's practice. It is doubtful that Griffin will play in the New England preseason game.
-- DAVIS COMEBACK?
Team officials reported on Monday that representatives for running back Stephen Davis contacted the Redskins about returning to the team. Davis is an unrestricted free agent, but he is coming off of off-season knee surgery.
Davis's representatives were told that, for now, the coaches are evaluating their own crew of running backs, team officials said.
Davis played for the Redskins from 1996-2002. He was popular among Redskins fans for his bulldozing rushing style. In 10 NFL seasons with Washington and Carolina, he has gained 7,875 yards with 65 rushing touchdowns.
Davis was in Philadelphia on Monday visiting with Eagles officials. No signing was imminent, according to the Eagles' web site.
