The next step for Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth will be to make through an entire practice.
After finally passing his conditioning test, Haynesworth participated in some individual drills at practice on Saturday. But he left the field with a wrap around his knee when team drills started. He made a statement following the brief flurry of activity:
“The test is over,” Haynesworth said. “Now it’s back to playing football. I want to thank all the fans for still supporting me, still wearing 92 jerseys and still believing in me. Y’all have a good day.”
Crowd reaction was surprisingly positive for Haynesworth’s first day. A sampling of reaction from other Redskins:
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, while on the field: “Oh yeah, we got the big guy back!”
Haslett says Haynesworth’s base position is nose tackle: “He really has no say in that."Linebacker London Fletcher: “He seems to have the right attitude.”
Mike Shanahan: "[Haynesworth] probably doesn’t like me very much right now, but I’m not here to be liked.”