Clinton Portis’s status for this Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is uncertain as he continues to recover from a concussion.

What is certain, according to Jim Zorn, is that Portis remains the Redskins’ featured back when healthy.

Regarding Portis’s recovery from a concussion, Zorn said on Monday that Portis is "improving" but is still experiencing some symptoms.

"We’re going to wait to see where he’s at," Zorn said. "I think with a concussion, we have to wait properly and wait cautiously about making sure he feels good to come back, to give all of us an opportunity to be successful."

Portis sat out Sunday’s 27-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

In the Broncos game, Portis was replaced by Ladell Betts, who rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Rock Cartwright added 41 yards on nine carries.

During his Monday press conference at Redskins Park, Zorn was asked if he would consider more of a shared workload for Betts and Portis in the future.

“That’s what we have been doing, although maybe not in the run load,” Zorn said. “But I don’t want this to be a situation where Clinton loses his job because Ladell came in in support. I think it’s just exciting to know we have two running backs that can really run the ball.”

Portis’s health is paramount, Zorn emphasized.

“I want to be very sure that Clinton can get out there and pound it and really use all of his abilities before we just shove him back in there,” he said.

Zorn emphasized that Portis would have to practice this week to be activated for next Sunday’s game at Dallas.

“If he doesn’t practice all week because of his concussion, I will not play him in the game,” Zorn said. “I don’t think it would be prudent for him to play on Sunday if he can’t run hard in the practice week.”

Portis has been the Redskins’ lead rusher since he joined the team in 2004. He has posted more than 6,500 rushing yards in six seasons in Washington, second-most in franchise history.

This year, Portis leads the Redskins with 494 rushing yards on 124 carries and one touchdown.

However, Portis’s numbers are boosted by two long runs, a 34-yard gain on his first carry of the season and a career-long 78-yard pickup in Week 6 vs. Kansas City. Minus those two long runs, he is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry.

With his hard-charging running style, Betts has provided some explosiveness to the Redskins’ ground game the last two weeks.

Along with his 114-yard performance against Denver, Betts had 70 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries on Nov. 8 at Atlanta.

“Ladell helped us [against Atlanta] giving us some explosiveness and some suddenness when he came in for Clinton,” Zorn said. “If we have to use him more, we will. But I think Clinton has been an excellent runner through the years and I don’t see any reason why he can’t get through that line of scrimmage when he’s ready.”

-- DUTCH SIGNED TO PRACTICE SQUAD

Doug Dutch has rejoined the Redskins.

The rookie cornerback out of Michigan signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Monday.

Dutch spent training camp with the Redskins last summer and appeared in all four preseason games, registering three tackles. He was released by the team on Sept. 5.

Dutch originally signed with the Redskins on April 30 as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Dutch is a native of Bowie, Md. He attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.

-- ’WAIT AND SEE’ ON HAYNESWORTH

Albert Haynesworth suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday’s game vs. Denver.

He could miss practice time this week as the Redskins prepare for Sunday’s game at Dallas.

"We’re likely to know more toward the end of the week [regarding Haynesworth’s status]," Jim Zorn said.

Haynesworth has never played a full 16 NFL games, but he has not been sidelined for a game this year.