"Leading late in the fourth quarter Sunday against Philadelphia, the Washington Redskins turned to their ground game in an attempt to run out the clock.

Veteran running back Clinton Portis had delivered many times in similar situations, but with another outcome undecided, Portis was out with a groin injury and and second-year player Ryan Torain shouldered the load on Washington's final drive in a 17-12 victory at Lincoln Financial Field.

"You saw how hard that man ran?" cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "He went out there and was physical. They [coaches] kept calling his number and he kept bringing it."

Once the focal point of the offense, Portis is no longer guaranteed his status as the Redskins' top back. His age, 29, lack of commitment to offseason conditioning for most of his first six seasons with Washington and the concussion he suffered in 2009 have prompted management to explore other options at the position.

His latest significant injury opened the door for Torain - who began the season on the practice squad - and is expected to sideline the nine-year veteran for at least the Week 5 matchup against Green Bay at FedEx Field.

And despite Portis's strong showing against the Eagles, it seems the Redskins must make a long-term move in the backfield soon, with the injury-prone Torain, 24, or someone else, because Portis is in the final guaranteed season of his contract and late in his career.

Things are changing quickly in the organization under Coach Mike Shanahan, and it appears Portis is among many veterans whose Redskins careers may be winding down. "