Portis to play

Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis confirmed he will play Thursday in the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Portis this preseason has 50 yards on 15 carries. He played against Buffalo and Carolina and sat out the other two contests.

“Coach [Jim] Zorn said the starters are playing,” he said, referring to Zorn’s statement Monday that the starters would be in for at least one series. “Not the starters except for Clinton Portis, not the starters except for two-six. Unless I’ve been demoted in the past couple days, the starters include me.”

Rookie receiver Malcolm Kelly practiced again Tuesday, and Zorn declared him ready to play. Kelly, the team’s third second-round draft pick in April, hasn’t played in a preseason game because of hamstring and knee problems.

“I thought Malcolm Kelly really stepped it up a little bit today,” Zorn said. “I could see a little burst, and he seemed pretty excited out there. We’ll see how after practice how his knee holds up.”

Zorn also didn’t rule out free safety LaRon Landry, who has missed the team’s first four exhibition contests with a hamstring injury. Landry excluded himself from the final preseason tilt Monday, but after another day of practice, Zorn said he could play.

Campbell wrapped up

Quarterback Jason Campbell practiced Tuesday with his left leg wrapped. Zorn said Campbell tried to protect a cut on his leg.

“He has a gash on his leg,” Zorn said. “I think around the league, with the locker rooms, on the grass or turf or whatever, nobody wants to get a staph infection, so we’re very cautious about that.”

After he directed the first-team offense efficiently in the first two exhibition contests, Campbell has struggled in his past two outings. He has completed 10 of 20 passes for 67 yards and lost a fumble after he started the preseason 12-for-15 for 132 yards and a touchdown.

DT spot not decided

While the competition between punters Derrick Frost and Durant Brooks has garnered plenty of media attention, the other starting position in question hasn’t. Who lines up next to defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin when the Redskins open the regular season at the New York Giants remains in doubt.

Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery, roommates during their first training camp in 2006, have competed for the spot.

“I can’t really tell you that yet,” Zorn said. “We’ll have several discussions about it.”

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