NFL Notebook

Associated Press

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ASHBURN, Va. — Albert Haynesworth came to work Saturday morning with a slightly swollen knee, forcing him to scrap his latest chance to pass the Washington Redskins conditioning test and keeping him exiled from practice for yet another day.

The two-time All-Pro defensive tackle arrived early at Redskins Park and told the team he had some irritation in his left knee. Doctors recommended that he not take the test and instead ride a stationary bike and get treatment.

“Here’s a setback already,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “His knee’s a little bit swollen. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”

Shanahan is requiring Haynesworth to pass the test, which consists of two timed 300-yard shuttle runs, before taking part in practice. Haynesworth is the only player required to do so because he skipped the team’s offseason conditioning program.

Haynesworth failed the test Thursday and Friday, and it’s uncertain when he will try again. He had been undergoing specific training to help him pass the test, which might have contributed to the knee problem.

Haynesworth did make his first appearance on the field during a practice, albeit briefly. Wearing his No. 92 jersey for the first time at this training camp and holding a piece of paper in his hands, he stood to the side and watched the defense walk through some plays for about 10 minutes.

LEINART READY

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Finally, Matt Leinart gets to step out of Kurt Warner’s long shadow with a chance to show he indeed can thrive as an NFL quarterback.

The former Heisman Trophy winner emerged from the Arizona Cardinals’ first training camp workout on Saturday smiling and expressing confidence that he is “fully prepared” for the job.

Cheered on by a big, enthusiastic crowd at the team’s practice fields at Northern Arizona University, Leinart seemed in perfect timing with lead receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston, the result he said of extensive summer practice.

The left-handed quarterback enters his fifth NFL season knowing some already have written him off as a bust. He says he understands the pressure is there, but he doesn’t feel it.

“This is my fourth year in this offense,” Leinart said. “I haven’t played significantly for three years now, and I got a chance to learn and just kind of pay my dues and be patient and I do feel just mentally so far ahead. I just feel like I’m mentally there. Now it’s just taking it to the field when games come, and that’s what I’m most excited about, just to get out there and play ball.”

HESTER CONFIDENT

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — There is no hesitation from Devin Hester, which is no surprise given the way he darts down the field, only this time he was not sprinting by a defender.

He was meeting questions head on.

Does he see a Pro Bowl receiver on the Chicago Bears?

“Yes, I see one,” Hester said.

The most likely candidate?

“I’m going to say myself,” Hester said. “That’s just the mentality I’ve got to have, you know? To go out and compete and be the best.”

One more thing.

“I’m going to break out this year,” Hester said.

RAMS PICK

ST. LOUIS — Sam Bradford is doing his best to ignore the big contract numbers. Sighting a handful of Oklahoma jerseys in the crowd watching his first practice with the St. Louis Rams helped keep him grounded.

“That’s great,” Bradford said after a 11/2-hour workout. “It obviously made it a lot more comforting, knowing I did have some fans behind me.

“I think it just made today a bit easier.”

The No. 1 overall pick signed his six-year, $78 million contract with $50 million in guarantees, most ever in the NFL.

LIONS PICK

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have opened training camp without Ndamukong Suh.

The Lions practiced Saturday afternoon while team officials and Suh’s agents, Eugene Parker and Roosevelt Barnes, worked on reaching a contract agreement.