National Football League

Haynesworth charged in assault

Published Feb. 4, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth was charged Friday with simple assault after a road rage incident, The Washington Post reported.

Haynesworth, 29, is planning to surrender to authorities next week because he is currently out of town, according to police in Fairfax County, Va.

The incident between the hulking defensive lineman and a 38-year-old man occurred Wednesday morning in Reston, Va., according to authorities. Police said the other motorist made a "non-verbal hand gesture" to Haynesworth, who he felt was tailgating in his pickup truck.

A short time later the two vehicles came to a red light, when authorities say Haynesworth reportedly exited his vehicle and struck the driver of the Honda Civic after an argument. The man called police and told them he believed the assailant was the troubled Redskins star.

The Redskins said they were unaware of the incident as of Friday morning.

Haynesworth just completed his second year with the Redskins after signing a seven-year, $100 million contract — $41 million guaranteed — during the 2009 offseason.

He was suspended without pay for the final four games of the season for conduct detrimental to the team.

The suspension was a culmination of a season-long feud between Haynesworth and head coach Mike Shanahan that started in training camp when the coach accused Haynesworth of reporting out of shape.

Haynesworth was involved in a March 2008 accident in which he was driving his Ferrari at speeds of more than 100mph on a Tennessee interstate.

A lawsuit seeking $7.5 million in damages is pending after the other driver sustained serious injuries that left him paralyzed.