Haynesworth must continue counseling as condition of return

So Haynesworth will talk to his teammates Wednesday before practicing.

Whether he plays Sunday when the Titans (2-7) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) won't be decided until Fisher sees what kind of football shape his tackle is in. Haynesworth said his weight is 335, and he has been working out and running to be ready when his suspension ended.

"Six weeks is a long time to be away from this game," Fisher said. "He hasn't had plastic on in six weeks, pads. I'm confident he's in shape. He's indicated to me he's worked very hard."

Haynesworth drew unanimous condemnation for losing his temper on Oct. 1, and he looked out of control as he followed the referee, yelling about being ejected. He calmed down while sitting in an empty locker room and realized what he had done.

He apologized after the game, said he was sorry to Gurode in a phone call and hired public relations specialists as he tried to atone. After a final apology at a news conference on Oct. 5, Haynesworth disappeared.

Haynesworth said his six weeks away from the NFL and the prospect that he might not ever play again or even be hired for any job was very scary. Asked if he had figured out why he exploded, he called it a bad moment, probably one of the worst in his life.

But he said everybody makes mistakes, and he thinks this one changed his life.

"I'm good; I had some time off, I worked out and learned some new football moves," Haynesworth said during his return Tuesday to his weekly radio show on WNFN-FM in Nashville.

Haynesworth said he has learned through his first four counseling sessions, including one Tuesday, that he should talk with others and let people help him with problems. He already has learned to talk more with his wife, and said he is eager to continue the counseling.

This wasn't an isolated incident for Haynesworth, merely the worst. In the past he has picked up a metal pole to track down a college teammate he had sparred with, only to be stopped by a coach. Another time he kicked then-Titans teammate Justin Hartwig in the chest. And he has been involved in a handful of fights in practice.

Haynesworth realizes that he will be a target for opponents and fans who will try to push him to explode again.

"That was just one bad play. I can't guarantee, but I can say in my power it'll never happen again," he said.