Haynesworth Passes Conditioning Test

After four days of resting his knee, two-time All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has passed his conditioning test.

Early this morning, the Washington Post's Jason Reid reports, Haynesworth answered the challenge that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan set for him. Today's practice, the 10th day of Redskins training camp, will be the first full practice Haynesworth joins.

Reid reports unofficially that Haynesworth completed the first 300-yard shuttle run in 66 seconds and the second in 70 seconds. On three prior attempts before today, Haynesworth failed the conditioning test, which was turning into an albatross for Haynesworth -- and also for Shanahan and the entire Redskins organization.

Haynesworth's successful run follows a team-ordered MRI on Thursday that revealed that he had not suffered any structural damage to his left knee. Discomfort in the knee apparently kept him from attempting the conditioning test for several days in a row, including yesterday.

The news will come as relief to beleaguered 'Skins fans, who are surely sick of hearing the word "balky" named as a condition bothering a player who picked up a $21 million bonus in April. Today, fans get the first return on that investment -- as today is Fan Appreciation Day.

The test certainly alleviates the discomfort surrounding the stalemate between Shanahan and Haynesworth. Shanahan would not allow Haynesworth to practice with the full squad after he skipped all but one offseason conditioning meetings. According to Reid, Haynesworth's long trial had an even bigger impact: Apparently, Haynesworth's come around on the team's new 3-4 defense, which he initially resisted.

Whether that means he's come around to playing like a team member is another story. At the very least, the Redskins can now attempt a practice as a whole team.

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