Oct 31, 2013 4 min read

Mike Shanahan says Albert Haynesworth is “lazy” and has a “lack of passion” and “lack of character.”

The Washington Redskins coach responded Thursday to comments made by Haynesworth this week.

Haynesworth told Tennessee Sports Radio that Shanahan is “conniving,” self-centered and will run quarterback Robert Griffin III “into the ground.”

Shanahan and Haynesworth clashed frequently during the coach’s first year in Washington in 2010. Haynesworth was eventually traded and went down as one of the biggest free agent busts in NFL history.

Shanahan says, “When you don’t get along with somebody as a head coach or an assistant coach, it usually falls into one of those areas lazy, lack of passion, and a lot of times lack of character. And he fits all three.”

Smith back on 49ers roster: All-Pro 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was activated to the 53-man roster from the non-football injury list Thursday, two days after he turned himself in to Santa Clara County authorities as he faces weapons charges.

One of San Francisco’s dynamic pass rushers appears ready to return.

Smith had been undergoing rehab at an in-patient facility for substance abuse since late September and missed five games. With San Francisco (6-2) on its bye this week, Smith could resume practicing and working out on his own, then formally practice next week ahead of a Nov. 10 home game against the Carolina Panthers.

Smith was charged Oct. 9 with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a party at his home in June 2012.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said on his weekly radio show with 95.7 The Game that Smith met with 49ers officials Wednesday at team headquarters. General manager Trent Baalke said last week in London that Smith would have to show “progress” to play again this year.

Smith will be due in court twice Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 to face DUI and weapons charges.

Former player rips Goodell: Former Cardinals defensive back Hamza Abdullah took to Twitter on Thursday to blast the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell for not doing enough to ensure players’ well-being.

In dozens of profanity-laced tweets, Abdullah said on his verified account that the NFL treats players like slaves, that Goodell would sell his “soul for a dollar,” and that the league should pay for psychiatric evaluations for its players.

Abdullah also implied he had suicidal thoughts, tweeting that “Every time I go to sleep, I pray that Allah takes care of my family, just in case I don’t wake up.” In the next tweet, he adds, “And quietly, I’m disappointed sometimes when I do wake up.”

Abdullah’s brother, Husain Abdullah, is a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was not in the locker room during Thursday’s media availability, though he did attend practice.

Union head said Merriweather sorry for remarks: The head of the NFL players’ union says Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather is sorry for making comments about going after players’ knees.

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith released a statement Thursday saying that Meriweather “is passionate about the game, and I know he is sorry for what he said. … Brandon knows that all players have a responsibility to each other and to play within the rules of the game.”

Meriweather returned Monday from a one-game suspension for illegal hits targeting the head and said from now on he’ll have “to take people’s knees out” and cause career-ending injuries because he can no longer hit receivers high.

Meriweather declined comment Thursday.