NFL notes

Portis ruled out with concussion

ASHBURN - Clinton Portis' concussion will keep the Washington Redskins running back out of Sunday's game, one of many injury concerns for coach Jim Zorn as his team prepares to face the Denver Broncos.

Portis was hurt in a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Sunday's 31-17 loss to Atlanta. He underwent tests this week and was not at the practice facility yesterday.

Portis is having a disappointing year by his standards, with only 494 yards rushing. He last missed a game in 2006, when hand and shoulder injuries ended his season early.

Portis' injury means Ladell Betts will get his first start since 2006, assuming Betts is able to play. The backup is nursing a sprained ankle and did not practice yesterday although Zorn said he expects him to be available.

There is also considerable doubt as to the makeup of the starting offensive line. With Mike Williams out with an ankle injury, midseason signing Levi Jones will start at left tackle and Stephon Heyer has been moved from left tackle to right tackle. Heyer was limited in practice with a knee injury.

Gage has broken back

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee receiver Justin Gage has several broken transverse process bones in his lower back, and he is unlikely to play Sunday against Buffalo.

The receiver was injured when he fell to the ground after making a leaping catch to set up the go-ahead touchdown in last week's 34-27 win at San Francisco. He finished the game with a season-high 97 yards receiving. But Gage started hurting once the adrenaline wore off, and the Titans ran a variety of X-rays and CAT scans.

Smith reportedly fined

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.-Two people familiar with the situation say Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 by the NFL for a sideline scuffle, while Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall (Virginia Tech) avoided any punishment.

The NFL also fined Redskins safety LaRon Landry $7,500, Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth $5,000 and Falcons director of athletic performance Jeff Fish $2,500.

Elsewhere

• Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron remains hopeful Terrell Owens will play against Tennessee this weekend after a strained hip forced the receiver to miss his second straight practice. Jauron said that Owens is "still struggling" with the injury, which flared up during the team's day off Tuesday.

• Arizona Cardinals receiver Sean Morey says he played with a concussion against the Chicago Bears despite his role raising awareness about head injuries. Morey said that he downplayed the symptoms and didn't communicate well enough with the training staff last week.

• Miami Dolphins starting guard Justin Smiley was sent to a doctor and remains sidelined because of a shoulder injury, increasing the likelihood he'll miss this week's game against Tampa Bay. Also sitting out practice for a second consecutive day were outside linebacker Joey Porter (knee), nose tackle Paul Soliai (ankle) and special teams contributor Erik Walden (hamstring).