Last year, Ma'ake Kemoeatu had a taste of what life is like after football.

He discovered he's not ready for that yet.

Kemoeatu makes his return to the NFL gridiron this Friday night in the Redskins' preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills.

A year ago, as a member of the Carolina Panthers, Kemoeatu was sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury.

"I was out for the whole season last year, and now I'm just excited to get back out on the field," he said. "I would love to play football for as long as I can, and to miss a whole season just kind of put into perspective how much this game means to me."

Kemoeatu had a scare on Tuesday afternoon when he was carted off the practice field due to dehydration.

On Wednesday, Kemoeatu sat out the morning practice just as a precaution.

He said he was fine, though.

Said defensive coordinator Jim Haslett: "He didn't want a day off, actually. I asked him and he said, 'I don't need a day off, I need to get through this to get back used to wearing a helmet, shoulder pads, playing with guys hitting.'

"I think he's done a great job. He's a lot faster than I remember. He's a lot quicker than I remember, and he's a big man in the middle."

Said Kemoeatu: "I'll definitely be able to go [Friday night]. It just got a little hot and I wasn't take care of myself the way I should be. The heat caught up with me a little bit, but I'm all good now."

The Redskins reported another heat-related injury in Wednesday.

Defensive end Darrion Scott was carted off the field due to dehydration.

Scott was given treatment by athletic trainers and reported to be fine after practice.

"He was dehydrated," head coach Mike Shanahan said. "It happens a lot with these temperatures. It happened early in practice with him, which is a little unusual, but he got his IV and he's fine right now."

-- HAYNESWORTH TO PLAY vs. BILLS

Albert Haynesworth is expected to play in Friday night's preseason opener against Buffalo, according to head coach Mike Shanahan.

Haynesworth has participated in three full practices since passing his conditioning test last weekend.

On Wednesday, Haynesworth took the bulk of first-team reps at nose tackle with Ma'ake Kemoeatu sitting out the session.

"When the number one guy goes down, the number two guy goes up," Shanahan said. "He had a good practice…He had a number of reps, but we cut practice a little short two days before the game."

Asked if Haynesworth was in football shape well enough to play, Shanahan replied: "We're just getting started -- we've only been practicing a couple days. It's a process. He'll get a chance to play, along with a number of other players," Shanahan said.

-- BARTEL SIDELINED, BECK TAKES REPS

John Beck took the majority of practice reps at quarterback on Wednesday in preparation for Friday night's preseason opener.

Richard Bartel was sidelined for the second practice in a row with a sore hamstring.

Bartel's status for the preseason opener is uncertain.

"Right now, I would say [Bartel won't play]," Mike Shanahan said. "It doesn't look like he can go full speed. I won't put a quarterback out there who can't go full speed."

Beck produced the best play of Wednesday's practice when he threw deep to wide receiver Anthony Armstrong on a flea flicker. Armstrong made a sensational grab ahead of cornerback Ramzee Robinson and scored a touchdown.

-- HORTON OUT

Strong safety Chris Horton is not expected to play in the Bills preseason game due to a groin injury.

Horton suffered the injury this week and was sidelined during Wednesday morning's practice.

With Horton out, second-year player Lendy Holmes is expected to see the bulk of playing time at strong safety once starter LaRon Landry leaves the game.

Horton joins right tackle Jammal Brown and wide receiver Malcolm Kelly on the sidelines for the game.

Stephon Heyer is expected to start at right tackle in place of Brown.