WASHINGTON — Simmering all year, the antagonism between Albert Haynesworth and Mike Shanahan finally reached the boiling point Tuesday when the two-time all-pro defensive lineman was suspended by the Redskins coach without pay for the rest of the season.
Citing a litany of acts that essentially add up to season- long insubordination, the Redskins suspended Haynesworth for “conduct detrimental to the club” and told him he’s not welcome for the team’s final four games — making it highly unlikely he will play for the club again.
“Despite the club’s numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time,” Shanahan said. “. . . (Monday), when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our general manager Bruce Allen that he (Haynesworth) would no longer speak with me.”
Haynesworth’s agent, Chad Speck, said his client will appeal. Haynesworth will not be allowed at Redskins Park for practices or meetings for the final four weeks of the season. The suspension will cost him about $847,000 in salary, a mere trifle amid the $41 million guaranteed in the seven-year contract he signed with the Redskins as a free agent last year.
“It was a very volatile relationship to begin with,” defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said. “Over the last several months, things have been adding up. The coach wants things one way, the player wants things a different way. It can cause a rift.”
Jets aching for healthy safety
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Down to two players at safety because of injuries, Jets coach Rex Ryan said the team will have to cut recently re-signed receiver Laveranues Coles to make roster room.
With New York preparing for its next game against the Dolphins on Sunday, Brodney Pool and Eric Smith are the only healthy safeties listed on the active roster, although cornerback Dwight Lowery can also play the position. James Ihedigbo was scheduled to have an MRI exam on his right knee — Ryan said it could be an injury to the medial collateral ligament, and a high ankle sprain. Starter Jim Leonhard is out for the season after he broke his right shin in practice last Friday.
Among those on the Jets’ short list could be players who were with the team in training camp, including free agent Donovan Warren and Emanuel Cook.
Footnotes.
The Colts put starting cornerback Jerraud Powers on injured reserve with a broken right forearm and re-signed running back Dominic Rhodes.
• Steelers tight end Heath Miller (concussion) is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Bengals, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had surgery Monday to repair a broken nose, will wear a face shield during practice.
Also, the Steelers signed former Packers punter Jeremy Kapinos to replace Daniel Sepulveda, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
• 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will start ahead of Troy Smith on Sunday against the Seahawks.
• The Cardinals placed quarterback Max Hall (shoulder) on injured reserve and signed former Redskins reserve Richard Bartel. Third-string quarterback John Skelton could start Sunday against the Broncos.
• The Buccaneers re-signed center Donovan Raiola.
The Associated Press
