The Washington Post is reporting that Redskins RB Ladell Betts has been told by coaches that he will play more this season, in an attempt to decrease the workload of Clinton Portis. Betts will likely be the team’s third-down back. A position he is not taking for granted.

“This is training camp, and anything can happen, so I’m not taking my job lightly, like it’s just mine,” Betts said last week. “But I approach it as if it’s mine, and I prepare myself to be the starter. I have been told that hopefully I’ll be able to play more, third-down situations. We’ll see.”

Offensive coordinator Sherman Smith believes that Betts has the talent to be a very effective third-down back.

“He was a second-round draft pick for a reason,” offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said. “He can play. I think he deserves to play. I think we need him to play. No team is doing it in this league with one guy. You got to have two guys for sure.”

Other news from around the Web on a Monday.

• Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson was absent for a third consecutive practice as he continues to rehab from a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

• Falcons coach Mike Smith acknowledged that Jamaal Anderson, the eighth player taken in the 2007 draft, is in a fight for his starting position.

• Patriots coach Bill Belichick says that QB Kevin O’Connell is much further ahead of the curve this season in his role to backup starter Tom Brady.

• Bears DT Marcus Harrison continues to make progress on the side while on the non-football injury list and is hopeful he’ll be cleared for a return by Saturday.

• Cardinals WR Early Doucet suffered an injury to his left arm as he made a spectacular diving grab of a pass thrown by QB Matt Leinart Monday morning.

• The Browns QBs are struggling in the competition to be the No. 1 guy.

• Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant missed practice with a minor knee injury.

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