Jones speeds up learning curve

Byline: Ryan O'Halloran, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Jason Campbell is willing to do whatever it takes to get the Washington Redskins' new left tackle prepared for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Even if I have to buy him a couple meals to make sure he's ready to line up and play Football, Campbell said Wednesday at Redskin Park. Levi Jones is set to become the third player to start at left tackle this season - original starter Chris Samuels suffered a season-ending neck injury and his replacement, Stephon Heyer, is moving back toright tackle because of an ankle injury to Mike Williams. This won't be Jones' first start, an improvement on the situation earlier this year when the Redskins were forced to use untried Chad Rinehart and Will Montgomery, and from 2007, when the club had to use a then-untested Heyer. Jones started 89 games for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2002 to 2008, but a series of injuries left him available for the Redskins to sign him Oct. 20. [Offensive line coach Joe Bugel] has been working hard to get me prepared, and I feel confident about what's going on with the learningprocess and the technical process, Jones said. Jones said his experience has accelerated the learning curve and that he quickly picked up the way Bugel teaches line play. He's trying to do what he can to learn in a hurry, Campbell said. It's not like he was here in the preseason and got a chance to play some warmup games. He's stepping into the midst of a storm. That storm has been a tornado of sacks. Campbell has been sacked 12 times in the past two games, and this week he will play behind the fifth different starting line combination of the season. Campbell's work in practice was limited because of a right ankle sprain, but he will start against the Broncos. We're just trying to be smart about it, he said. I don't want to do anything to aggravate it and have it get worse as the week goes along. As for his quarterback's offer of lunch or dinner, Jones said: Whatever he wants to do, I'm willing to accept. Portis still doubtful Coach Jim Zorn said running back Clinton Portis, who suffered a concussion Sunday against the Falcons, is very, very doubtful to face Denver. Portis was examined by a team doctor Wednesday in the District. I had him in my office [Wednesday] morning, and you could tell he wasn't quite 100 percent with his tests, Zorn said. We're not going to mess around with a concussion. We just have to wait and see. I don't want to rule him out. Ladell Betts will get the majority of the work if Portis can't play. Betts looked sharp against Atlanta, rushing 15 times for 70 yards.Betts tweaked an ankle against the Falcons and did not practice Wednesday, but he is expected to be available Sunday. Zorn also said he expects to make a decision Friday or Saturday onwhether to keep punter Sam Paulescu if the injured Hunter Smith (groin) still can't play. Horton has surgery Strong safety Chris Horton underwent toe surgery Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., and was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. Running back Quinton Ganther was re-signed to fill the roster spot. Horton was injured against Atlanta and finished the season with 37tackles in eight games. The injury concluded an up-and-down year forHorton, who lost his starting job after three games only to reclaim it against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 26. Reed Doughty will take over the starting spot, and Kareem Moore and Fred Smoot will be involved in some personnel packages. Haynesworth fined Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said he was fined by the NFL for his role in a sideline brawl with the Falcons, but cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he has not heard from the league office. The league does not confirm fine amounts until Friday. Haynesworth doesn't regret rushing to Hall's aid. He's my teammate; I'm not going to let him get jumped or beat up, Haynesworth said. [Falcons coach] Mike Smith did have him hemmed up over there. I can't let an old man beat up my cornerback, so I had to go over there and save him. Safety LaRon Landry also was fined for the late hit against Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan that touched off the brawl. CAPTION(S): Clinton Portis is still listed as doubtful for Sunday after suffering a concussion against Atlanta. [Photo by Peter Lockley/The Washington Times]