Chad Simpson

Starter Clinton Portis had his most impressive day of this young season, but he finished it off in the locker room, nursing a groin injury of undetermined severity. The remaining active running backs available to grind out the game over the final five minutes: Ryan Torain, who two weeks ago was on the Redskins' practice squad, and Chad Simpson, who two weeks ago was out of work.

So with the clock winding down and a lead to protect, what could Torain - the choice as Portis's replacement - have felt?

"Definitely comfortable," Torain said. "Just had to know the ball's in your hands and the game's in your hands."

Torain's numbers - 18 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown - are hardly spectacular. But add them to Portis's 11 carries for 55 yards, and throw in 39 more yards on scrambles from quarterback Donovan McNabb, and the Redskins showed Sunday they could not only commit to run the ball, but they could move it as well.

After Keiland Williams got cut, we were on the Torain bandwagon as a guy to consider picking up in your league. News was Portis was going to lose carries to Torain as the season went on, but this injury may quicken the process.