CINCINNATI — Clinton Portis didn't even want to be on the field for the first preseason game. Now, the dependable running back isn't sure if he can be on the field when it counts.

The Washington Redskins' revamped offense took a significant jolt yesterday when Portis partially dislocated his left shoulder during a 19-3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving him sidelined indefinitely.

"Right now, it's tough to say," coach Joe Gibbs said. "Obviously, it's going to be a while."

Portis ran for a club-record 1,516 yards last season, when Washington made the playoffs as a wild-card team, and was counted on to steady an offense retooled by assistant coach Al Saunders in the offseason.

Instead, Washington is wondering how long it will be without its best running back.

Portis opened the game with an 8-yard carry, then blocked for Mark Brunell's passes. When Brunell's sixth throw was intercepted by cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, Portis ran him down and reached to make the tackle.

His left arm was extended when he hit Ratliff, momentarily knocking the bone part of the way out of the shoulder socket. An MRI confirmed the injury.

"After that 8-yard run, I was like, 'Get me out of that game,' " Portis said.

Standard treatment involves rest and strengthening exercises. Portis had the left arm in a blue sling after the game, when he lobbied for regulars to play less in the preseason.

"For whoever's watching: Let's get rid of some of these games," he said.

Without Portis, the running game will depend upon backup Ladell Betts, who ran for 338 yards last season and missed four games because of a knee injury.

WASHINGTON 0 3 0 0—3

CINCINNATI 9 3 7 0—19

FIRST QUARTER

Cin—Safety, Collins intentional grounding in end zone, 2:14.

Cin—Henry 12 pass from Wright (Graham kick), :52.

SECOND QUARTER

Cin—FG Graham 37, 12:06.

Was—FG Hall 38, 4:01.

THIRD QUARTER

Cin—Washington 34 pass from D.Johnson (Graham kick), 4:57.

A—64,961.

Was Cin

First downs 11 18

Total Net Yards 256 302

Rushes-yards 24-30 29-110

Passing 226 192

Punt Returns 3-18 1-14

Kickoff Returns 2-47 3-48

Interceptions Ret. 0-0 3-82

Comp-Att-Int 19-37-3 20-30-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-7 5-37

Punts 5-46.6 6-38.8

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 5-45 3-25

Time of Possession 27:16 32:44

RUSHING—Washington, Portis 1-8, Cartwright 6-6, K.Carter 8-5, Campbell 1-5, Broughton 6-4, Sellers 1-2, Collins 1-0. Cincinnati, Dorsey 6-68, Whitehead 6-16, Watson 4-12, Wilson 5-10, McNeal 1-9, Wright 1-7, Meyer 3-(minus 4), R.Johnson 3-(minus 8).

PASSING—Washington, Brunell 4-9-1-66, Collins 6-13-1-68, Campbell 9-15-1-99. Cincinnati, Wright 9-16-0-101, D.Johnson 11-14-0-128, Meyer 0-0-0-0.

RECEIVING—Washington, Espy 4-56, White 3-24, Thrash 2-26, Sellers 2-18, Ortega 1-44, Lloyd 1-27, Moss 1-18, Farris 1-5, Cartwright 1-4, Cooley 1-4, R.Smith 1-4, K.Carter 1-3. Cincinnati, Henry 6-61, Washington 3-47, Houshmandzadeh 2-54, Whitehead 2-18, Ghent 2-11, McNeal 1-15, Holt 1-11, Perry 1-8, Kelly 1-6, Watson 1-(minus 2).

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.