ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins players are calling Albert Haynesworth selfish for skipping the team’s mandatory minicamp and demanding a trade.
Haynesworth wasn’t present Wednesday morning with the team took the field for practice. The two-time All Pro defensive tackle is staying away because he doesn’t want to play in the Redskins’ new defensive scheme.
Coach Mike Shanahan revealed that the Redskins gave Haynesworth the chance to find another team until April 1, when the player was due a $21 million bonus. Shanahan said that once Haynesworth took the check, the team expected him to play.
The Redskins are now pursuing the return of that $21 million payment, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Haynesworth’s absence isn’t popular among teammates. Both London Fletcher and Casey Rabach called Haynesworth “selfish.” Said Rabach: “It doesn’t sit well with the players.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.