D.J.

Hayden

Hayden appeared in one game for the Commanders last year after making five appearances for the Jags in 2021. The former first-round corner has played in 92 games and will turn 32 years old before the start of the season. Though strictly a backup at this point in his career, Hayden should be able to find a new home in the NFL if he wants to keep playing.

Hayden will turn 32 this summer and appeared in one game, spanning four defensive snaps, for the Football Team this past season. The former No. 12 overall pick of the Raiders spent four years in Oakland, one with the Lions, and three with the Jaguars before being out of the league most of 2021. He’ll compete for a job this offseason.

Hayden had just returned from his hamstring issue in Week 11, playing 57 snaps. Evidently he aggravated it. He is ineligible to return from injured reserve since he has already done so once this season. In the final year of his contract, the ex-Raiders first rounder is going on 31. He still offers a little juice in the slot, and should get to compete for the role in someone’s secondary next season.

CB D.J. Hayden (hamstring) and S Daniel Thomas (arm) have also been sent to I.R. Allen had claimed his knee injury would not be “long term,” but he will now miss at least the next three games. It is awful news for the Jaguars’ league-worst pass rush. Amazingly, the Jags have only nine total sacks. 2019 first-rounder Allen has tallied two of them, and is playing well. 1-15 is in play for Jacksonville.

Hayden was placed on injured reserve in early October and should be at full health after more than a month off. With first-round CB C.J. Henderson on injured reserve, the Jaguars are looking for help wherever they can get it. Hayden was playing full time in the slot before his injury. That would put him on JuJu Smith-Schuster for Week 11.

This opens Hayden’s three-week activation window. The move comes as rookie CB C.J. Henderson (groin) heads to I.R. Hayden was still operating as the Jags’ primary slot corner before going down in Week 4. He probably does not have enough time to get activated for Sunday’s game against the Steelers, but this certainly gives him a chance.

It’s a concern for the Jaguars’ Week 5 secondary with C.J. Henderson (shoulder) also sidelined. Hayden is eligible to return in Week 8.

Jacksonville also placed TE James O’Shaughnessy on the Active/PUP list. Hayden played in 15 games (starting eight) last year for the Jaguars.

The Jags’ slot man was in a ton of pain after going down. His arm was dangling at his side as he came off the field. It could be a multi-week injury.

The Raiders prefer to trade down, but they are prepared to take their man in Hayden if a partner can’t be found. Oakland needs help all over the field, especially on defense, and Hayden has been steadily picking up steam as the draft’s top corner. The Raiders may not be able to trade down too far if they want him. The Lions at No. 5 and the Browns at No. 6 also have cornerback needs.