Rinehart in rotation on Redskins’ offensive line

The merry-go-round that is the Washington Redskins’ offensive line continued to spin Thursday, resulting in a second chance for right guard Chad Rinehart.

The line already is trying to work in new left tackle Levi Jones and get right tackle D’Anthony Batiste ready in case the injured Stephon Heyer can’t play Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Now Rinehart is returning after a three-game absence because of a shoulder injury and demotion.

Coach Jim Zorn would not confirm the change, but both Rinehart and incumbent Will Montgomery said the switch is in effect.

“I definitely feel I’m a lot more comfortable in there,” said Rinehart, who started two games after a triceps injury sidelined Randy Thomas. “Once my shoulder healed up, it felt like I was doing a lot better against the guys. Hopefully, that will translate to the field.”

The switch marks the first performance-based change on the line since the Redskins allowed 11 sacks in the past two games.

Rinehart, a third-round pick in the 2008 draft, didn’t play last season but also didn’t seem overwhelmed in two-plus games this year.

But an injury, combined with progress by Montgomery, kept Rinehart on the inactive list.

“I guess I would call it a demotion, but that’s not the way I look at it,” Zorn said. “I thought Will was doing a heck of a job in there, and Rinehart is starting to come on. Our ranks are running thin, so we’ll definitely get [Rinehart] involved.”

Portis ruled out

Clinton Portis’ streak of 40 consecutive starts will end Sunday because of a concussion he suffered last week in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The running back spent Wednesday at home on his doctor’s orders.

His replacement, Ladell Betts, also did not practice because of an ankle injury, but Zorn expects him to play.

Punter Hunter Smith will try to kick in practice Friday and could be placed on the season-ending injured reserve list if his injured groin hasn’t sufficiently improved.

Fines levied

Three fines have been handed out for the Redskins-Falcons fracas Sunday.

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