DENVER (AP) – The Denver Broncos breathed a little easier Monday after tests showed Clinton Portis’ right leg injury is not as bad as first thought.

Portis had to be helped off the field Sunday after bending his leg at an awkward angle in Denver’s 23-20 overtime win over Cleveland, but an MRI on Monday showed only ankle and knee sprains.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan wasn’t sure when Portis would be able to return to practice, and listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.

“I feel a lot better today than I did yesterday,” Shanahan said. “At least he’s questionable and he’s got a chance. I was looking at him after the game and I thought he was definitely out and it might have been surgery. So, you feel very fortunate.”

Portis was injured when Browns defensive tackle Tyrone Rogers rolled into his leg the play before Jason Elam kicked the game-winning 25-yard field goal. The Broncos feared the worst after seeing their star running back limping around after the game, but the mood was much better after he shed the crutches Monday morning.

“He’s doing pretty good. He was saying that he feels better than he felt last night,” Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe said. “It’s a little sore. Basically, when you’re young, you heal a lot faster than someone my age. It’s a day by day thing.”

Shanahan had taken some criticism for leaving Portis in the game.

Portis ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns, but needed a career-high 38 carries – the second-most in team history.

– to do it. On the winning drive, the Broncos were easily within Elam’s range, but kept handing the ball to Portis to get closer or possibly score a touchdown.

“In a situation like that, when you’re going for the win, I’m thinking more about a possible fumble than somebody getting hurt,” Shanahan said. “What you got to do is what you think is right, and obviously we thought that was right at the time. It’s just a shame that it happened the way it happened.”

Portis has been at his best when the Broncos have needed him most, rushing for 692 yards the past four games to help Denver (9-5) gain the edge for the final AFC playoff spot.

He had his sixth straight 100-yard game against the Browns and has 1,591 yards this season. Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James are the only other running backs in league history to run for 1,500 yards in their first two seasons.

AP-ES-12-15-03 1841EST