Hamstring Injury

Ashburn, Va. -- The WWE-replica championship belt is retired. The pink high-top sneakers and the matching fuzzy hat have been missing. But lest anyone think Clinton Portis has lost his sense of humor, the Washington Redskins running back showed yesterday he hasn't lost a step as he offered a prelude to the road game against the Denver Broncos (3-1) on Sunday. Here was Portis on Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, who said he would "knock out" Portis after he teased Smith for leaving a game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a concussion: "I think Rod's still got a concussion from two weeks ago. ... He called me, and he was talking to me as if we were married.

With his left leg heavily taped and his future availability uncertain, left tackle Jonathan Ogden seemed more confused than angry. Ogden suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' 20-6 win over the Buffalo Bills yesterday and likely will miss Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had to be helped off the field and hobbled around the locker room in obvious discomfort 30 minutes after the game. "I've never had [a hamstring injury]," Ogden said with a peculiar look on his face.

It figures to be a long week for Ravens coaches. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, in particular, may need to have the coffeepot brewing and the No-Doz nearby as long days get even longer. Nolan said he and his staff will have to come up with two game plans for passing downs for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals - one that will include Deion Sanders and another if the league's highest-profile nickel (fifth) defensive back is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Sanders strained his hamstring in the second quarter of the Ravens' win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and did not return.

NEW YORK - Andre Agassi made it as plain as could be. His young opponent was forced to retire yesterday, but that's "retirement" in the proper tennis sense - 20-year-old Florian Mayer took the second set from Agassi but could not continue through the first game of the fourth set because of an injury to his left leg, giving Agassi a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 decision. "Retirement" in the general sporting sense of the word is not in Agassi's vocabulary yet. "Let this be a signal: I'm not considering retiring at the end of this tournament," Agassi, 34, said after advancing to the third round of the U.S. Open.

ASHBURN, Va. - Kevin Mitchell, a linebacker in his 11th NFL season, and third-year wide receiver Cliff Russell were cut by the Washington Redskins yesterday. The team began informing players who were being released yesterday afternoon, but delayed disclosing the list until today. A league source said Mitchell, who appeared in all 16 games for the team last year, and the speedy Russell, who has had difficulty with injuries, were among those notified they were being waived. Mitchell was acquired by the Redskins as a free agent in 2000 from the New Orleans Saints.

Oakland Mills' Tony Cole, The Sun's All-Metro Performer of the Year in indoor track two months ago, said he will sit out the two-day Howard County outdoor championships beginning today at Reservoir to rest an ailing hamstring. Cole, a senior who is a three-time county Performer of the Year in indoor and outdoor track, said he injured his left hamstring during a dual meet against Wilde Lake last Wednesday and that the slow healing process is forcing him to hold off until the region and state meets.

Frank Sanders was added to the injury report yesterday, but the Ravens veteran receiver is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He is listed as questionable after experiencing tightness in his hamstring. After missing the season opener with a foot injury, Sanders has three catches for 45 yards. "He should be fine for the weekend," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. Sanders said he felt soreness in his hamstring during Wednesday's warm-ups. But yesterday, he felt improvement and even played basketball before practice.

It's possible that an injured hamstring would trip up a long-distance runner like Robert Gralley. It's possible that a runner like Gralley might skip this weekend's Baltimore Marathon, particularly when he's trying to heal within two weeks, and especially because he's 76. But Gralley, who has lived at the Oak Crest Village retirement community in Parkville for the past year after coming from Connecticut, is a good bet to show up and finish the race....

The Ravens are expected to sign cornerback Robert Tate today, provided the six-year veteran passes his physical, according to a league source. Tate, 28, was released by the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday and likely will sign for the veteran minimum. He is coming off a shoulder injury that limited his strength last year and eventually forced him out of the starting lineup in favor of Eric Kelly. With cornerback Gary Baxter having not played in any preseason games because of a hamstring injury -- which also will keep him out tomorrow in Philadelphia -- the Ravens could use the extra help at that position.

PHILADELPHIA - A forward who recently signed a 15-day contact and was playing his second game of the season became the latest to add to the Blast's misery. Joe Scigliano scored two two-point goals and added an assist as the Philadelphia KiXX defeated the Blast, 14-8, in a Major Indoor Soccer League game last night. It was the second straight loss and third in four games for the 5-7 Blast. The KiXX (8-3) maintained their hold on first place in the six-team league and have won all three meetings with the Blast.