Albert Haynesworth saw action with the Redskins' first-team defense in Friday night's preseason game against the New York Jets.
Haynesworth did not start the game but he substituted in at nose tackle and right defensive end.
Haynesworth played into the third quarter of the game and finished with one tackle.
He was able to get pressure on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez on several plays, however.
On one play, he lined up at nose tackle and then ran a stunt around right end. He was untouched as he chased after Sanchez.
"He did play a lot of plays," head coach Mike Shanahan said after the game. "Our goal was to play him 30 plays."
After weeks of Haynesworth drama on and off the field, it appears that his role and responsibilities in the Redskins' new 3-4 defense are becoming more defined.
He seemed more engaged on the field, even in the second half as he communicated with teammates about assignments between plays.
Haynesworth missed all of the Redskins' off-season work and he was not available the first week of training camp as he attempted to pass the team's conditioning test.
In preseason, he has played in all three of the Redskins' contests. He has posted two tackles and one sack.
-- PORTIS HAS ANKLE INJURY
Clinton Portis suffered a sprained ankle in Friday's preseason game against the Jets, but the injury is not believed to be serious.
Said Mike Shanahan: "I don't know how bad it is. I don't think it's very serious, but that's just guessing."
Portis was not scheduled to see significant action in the Jets game. He finished with one carry for three yards.
Early in the game, he had a great block on a linebacker rushing up the middle, buying Rex Grossman some time in the pocket.
Also, fullback Darrel Young left the game in the second quarter with an undisclosed illness. He did not return.
-- NO TIME FOR THOMAS?
Devin Thomas did not get any reps on offense in Friday's preseason game against the Jets.
That was by design, Mike Shanahan said.
"We had to make a decision about which wide receivers needed to play," Shanahan said. "It was hard to get them all in the mix. Devin will play a lot more next week [in the preseason finale against Arizona]."
Thomas did get playing time on kick and punt returns in the Jets game.
-- SACKS AND TURNOVERS
On Friday night, the Redskins stepped up in sacks and turnovers, two categories the team has struggled with in recent years.
The defense sacked Jets quarterbacks four times, with Adam Carriker and Chris Wilson getting to starter Mark Sanchez and Jeremy Jarmon and Darrion Scott taking down backup Mark Brunell.
The defense also forced four fumbles, recovering three. DeAngelo Hall also recorded an interception, stopping a Jets drive in the red zone.
