The Redskins were dealt another offensive blow Sunday when RB Clinton Portis was hit hard on the helmet, suffering a concussion in the loss to the Falcons. He will be listed as doubtful to start the week heading into Sunday's game against the Broncos. Ladell Betts, who replaced Portis, carried the ball 15 times for 70 yards and a TD, giving the offense a spark, but he has a sprained ankle that must be monitored. Could the Redskins be interested in signing RB Larry Johnson, late of the Chiefs?

The PFW spin

Head coach Jim Zorn said Monday morning that the Redskins have had internal discussions about Johnson, who was cut by the Chiefs, before adding that he wasn't sure if signing Johnson was in the offing. There is some baggage there, from Johnson's recent homosexual slurs and comments about Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, but the Redskins never have been too concerned about image. They have taken on players with baggage before and likely will again until there is a change in team philosophy.

The Redskins will need to make a move. Portis is likely out this week, and Betts might be iffy. Rock Cartwright received a season-high seven carries in the loss Sunday (in fact, his most in a game since 2005), but he is no better than a third back normally and gained just 2.3 yards per carry vs. the Falcons. The offensive line appeared to respond to having other backs take the load, showing a little more oomph in the run blocking than when Portis was out there. Of course, that line will look different Sunday as massive ORT Mike Williams will be out with an ankle injury. Stephon Heyer will slide to right tackle from the left side, and Levi Jones will take Heyer's former spot.

Would adding Johnson do much? Well, the Chiefs' offense is about as adept as the Redskins', which is to say not at all. The Chiefs are slightly lower in most of the offensive rankings than the Redskins, other than points and interception percentage. They don't run the ball well, and part of it has been the offensive line. That has made it difficult to evaluate how much tread Johnson has left on his tires. He has not been happy in Kansas City for a few years, but you can't definitely say that he wasn't running as hard or effectively as he could have because of that.

How much would Johnson add to the Redskins? Difficult to say. He might be motivated to resurrect his career in Washington, but with a badly torn-up offensive line, the results might not be that much different in D.C. Johnson gained 2.7 yards per carry this season with a long run of 17 yards. That makes Portis look like Adrian Peterson.

The Redskins have gone the veteran RB route before, bringing in Shaun Alexander last season, but he did little. Like Alexander late in his career, Johnson appears to be a one-dimensional runner with perhaps a bit more value in the passing game. And Johnson's running style and strengths aren't too much different from Portis. Would he be more than a quick fix if he signed here? Again, it's tough to say, but with so much money committed to Portis, it's not likely Johnson will see much money. In fact, wherever he plays this season, Johnson might be looking for a five- or six-game trial to showcase that he still has it.