NFL roundup: Haynesworth remains Redskin, for now

Albert Haynesworth isn't going anywhere, at least not for now.

Addressing the latest trade reports concerning the troublesome defensive tackle, coach Mike Shanahan Wednesday said Haynesworth will be a member of the Washington Redskins when they open the season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

"Albert will be with our team on Sunday," Shanahan said.

There was a lot Shanahan didn't say. He didn't deny the trade talks. He wouldn't say whether Haynesworth will play. He didn't say whether he and Haynesworth have put their differences behind them.

And he wouldn't commit to having Haynesworth on the roster the entire season.

Raiders sign ex-Giant Alford

The Oakland Raiders have signed former Giants defensive lineman Jay Alford. The team said it released offensive lineman Erik Pears to make room for Alford. Alford was cut by the Giants on Saturday because of depth on the defensive line. Alford missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Season-tickets sales decline again

The NFL's season-ticket sales have declined for the third year in a row as teams struggle to get fans to the stadium in a weak economy. Depending on final numbers, season-ticket sales will be down between 1 percent and 2 percent, according to Eric Grubman, the league's executive vice president for business ventures. Grubman said overall attendance declined from 17 million in 2008 to 16.6 million last year.

Panthers are youngest

The Carolina Panthers weren't fooling around when they started their youth movement. It's produced the NFL's youngest team. According to STATS LLC, Carolina's average age of 25 years, 233 days is the most youthful in the league based on yesterday's 53-man rosters. It comes after the Panthers shed numerous veterans - and payroll - in the offseason. Carolina then kept nine of 10 draft picks and undrafted rookie defensive tackle Andre Neblett. "You can tell a little bit. I think that's good and bad," said running back DeAngelo Williams, one of only 14 players with four or more years of NFL experience. "We've got youthful legs, they don't have as many miles as a lot of the teams have. But with that comes maybe mental mistakes."

Leinart practices with Texans

Matt Leinart walked into the Houston Texans' locker room with stubble on his face and a new playbook in his hand. Released last week by the Arizona Cardinals, Leinart practiced with the Texans for the first time since agreeing to a one-year deal with the team Monday. The 2004 Heisman Trophy winner will be the third-string quarterback when the Texans open the season against Indianapolis on Sunday. It's a humbling fall from the high expectations he brought to the NFL after three spectacular seasons at Southern Cal.

- AP