National Football League

Haynesworth sits out practice

Published Jul. 30, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Albert Haynesworth, who recently joined the New England Patriots in a high-profile trade from the Washington Redskins, did not practice with the team Saturday, the Boston Herald reported.

"There are things that we still need to do with Albert for him to be able to get on the practice field," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said.

Belichick did not elaborate on the star defensive lineman's absence when pressed.

Haynesworth missed the first several days of training camp last season with the Redskins because he could not pass a basic conditioning test.

Haynesworth's non-appearance Saturday and Belichick's vague explanation fueled speculation on social media and talk radio that Haynesworth had again failed a conditioning test.

Haynesworth had a stormy relationship with Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan last year, starting with the two-time Pro Bowl selection's dislike of the coach's 3-4 defensive scheme. It ended with a suspension for the final four games of the season for conduct detrimental to the club.

Haynesworth signed a seven-year deal worth a reported $100 million as a free agent with the Redskins in 2009 after starring for seven years with the Tennessee Titans. He played just 20 games in a Redskins uniform, including eight in a reserve role last year.

The Redskins traded Haynesworth to New England for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft earlier this week.

The 30-year-old University of Tennessee product has 30 1/2 career sacks and 324 tackles in his nine-year career. He had a career-high 8 1/2 sacks and 51 tackles from a defensive tackle spot in his final season with the Titans in 2008.