Rock Cartwright gets his first start since 2003 when the Washington Redskins visit the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday.

It's something no one would have predicted three months ago. The eighth-year player was unhappy when the season began because he was No. 4 on the depth chart.

But Clinton Portis is sidelined indefinitely with a concussion, and Ladell Betts is out for the season with a knee injury. When Betts was hurt Sunday against Dallas, Cartwright got the call and ran for 67 yards and caught seven passes in a 7-6 loss.

Cartwright says his comments from early in the season were made out of frustration. Now he's eager about getting a chance to showcase his running back skills after spending most of his career as a special teams player.