WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins plan to pursue Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth if he becomes a free agent Friday — though it appears their salary cap situation might prevent them from signing the Pro Bowl performer — and hope to reach a contract agreement with cornerback DeAngelo Hall before the market opens, NFL sources said Wednesday.

The Redskins also have significant interest in Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, according to league sources, who would be a far less expensive alternative to Haynesworth, and are seeking upgrades along the offensive line, though likely only by pursuing second-tier free agents.

Although league tampering rules prohibit teams from beginning the process of signing free agents before 12:01 a.m. Friday, the sources, who requested anonymity because of the rules, said owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, have already laid the groundwork to attempt to acquire Haynesworth, considered the top defensive player who could become available. Another option being considered by the team is Canty, a versatile end who can play the run and pass rush from the interior on third downs.

The team would have the wherewithal to sign only one of those defensive linemen given its limited cap room. The Redskins regard Haynesworth — who reportedly wants to be the league's highest-paid defensive player — as one of only a few impact players capable of raising the play of the entire defense. Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

Meanwhile, negotiations with Hall's representatives, Joel Segal and Alvin Keels, began last week during the NFL scouting combine at Indianapolis and have continued, team sources said. Hall could command upwards of $15 million guaranteed, and talks have remained ongoing. The Redskins, who sat on the sideline during the free agent period last offseason, have made many moves in the past two weeks to create salary cap room, in part, to make a multiyear offer to Hall and compete for Haynesworth, the sources said.

Washington has reworked the contracts of tackle Chris Samuels, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, defensive end Andre Carter and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, and also released linebacker Marcus Washington in an attempt to improve its cap situation, but it remains among the worst in the NFL. The NFL salary cap for 2009 will reach $127 million, roughly $4 million higher than many projections, which provides some relief, but the Redskins entered last week over the cap.

There is some wiggle room. Defensive end Jason Taylor is scheduled to make $8 million in 2009 — not including a $500,000 roster bonus he is due to receive next week, according to league sources — but the team could save cap room by restructuring his deal. Cutting veteran cornerback Shawn Springs would yield an additional $6 million in cap savings.

It appears, however, the Redskins would need much more flexibility to make a viable run at Haynesworth, re-sign Hall — a top priority in their offseason plan — and address their concerns along the offensive line. In fact, one longtime league official with knowledge of Washington's cap problems said Wednesday that he could not envision any scenario, even with creative cap management, in which the Redskins could make a big offer to Haynesworth, bring back Hall and bolster the offensive line in free agency.

Moreover, the Redskins might not get the chance to bid on Haynesworth, who could seek a deal worth more than $30 million guaranteed and averaging $15 million per season. Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen is the league's top-paid defensive player with $32 million guaranteed as part of a six-year contract that averages $12.2 million per season. As of late Wednesday night, the Titans were attempting to reach a deal with Haynesworth before his agent, Chad Speck, could officially accept offers from other teams, according to sources who have spoken with Tennessee officials.

But the Titans are determined to stick with the parameters they set for Haynesworth, unwilling to risk jeopardizing their cap situation even for a player regarded as one of the best, if not the best, at his position in the league. And even if Haynesworth joins the free agent market, the Redskins are expected to face strong competition from teams with better cap situations.