Redskins nose tackle Albert Haynesworth’s ailment more serious than previously thought

The Washington Post reported Sunday that Washington Redskins nose tackle Albert Haynesworth has rhabdomyolysis, a condition that causes the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle because of injury to muscle tissue.

The news came one day after Haynesworth accused Coach Mike Shanahan of having underplayed his medical condition in recent days. The condition sidelined the two-time All-Pro in practice last week.

Shanahan gave differing explanations for Haynesworth’s absence each day. The coach, who’d been miffed by Haynesworth’s decision to not take part in the Redskins’ off-season program, initially said the defensive lineman “just was sick,” then claimed the cause was dehydration, then finally said it was “more of a headache than anything else.”

A Redskins official reportedly told ESPN that the team isn’t aware that Haynesworth has rhabdomyolysis. The team said Shanahan will talk about Haynesworth when the team resumes practice Monday.

“You’ll have to ask them, but I guess they’ll tell you ‘headaches’ again,” Haynesworth said. “It was part of it, but it wasn’t all of it. They left out a whole lot of stuff.”

Bengals sign safety

The Cincinnati Bengals signed safety Marvin White as a possible replacement for Gibril Wilson, who may be lost for the season because of a knee injury.

White, a fourth-year pro, previously played two seasons for the Bengals before moving on to Dallas and then Detroit in 2009. Cincinnati also signed rookie offensive lineman Chris Rodgers to replace first-year tackle Andrew Mitchell, who is out with a knee injury.

Etc.

Seattle offensive lineman Russell Okung, the No. 6 overall draft pick, will be out two to four weeks after an MRI exam revealed he suffered an ankle sprain during the Seahawks’ 27-24 preseason loss to Green Bay on Saturday. The team was initially worried Okung would miss two months or more. . . . The Philadelphia Eagles said left guard Todd Herremans will be back in the lineup Friday when they play their third preseason game against Kansas City. He has been out with foot injury since May

. . . . Sam Bradford might be the St. Louis Rams’ starting quarterback in Thursday’s preseason game at New England. A.J. Feeley injured his thumb and elbow in the first quarter of the Rams’ 19-17 win at Cleveland on Saturday and was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on the thumb. Bradford, the No. 1 pick in the draft, was the backup in the first two preaseason games. . . . Minnesota Vikings receiver Jaymar Johnson has been placed on injured reserve because of a broken thumb, ending his season.