Joe

Haden

Haden, who suffered a serious foot injury in 2021 before flirting with a return to the NFL this spring, will sign a one-day contract with the Browns before calling it quits. In seven seasons with Cleveland and five years with the Steelers, Haden made 148 starts and totaled 615 tackles, 29 interceptions. and two touchdowns. Haden, a first-round selection by the Browns in 2010, has three Pro Bowls to his name. He retires as the second highest paid cornerback in league history.

Haden has been holding out for a long-term contract since March. Coming off an injury shortened 2021, Haden may have to settle for a prove-it deal at this stage of the offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler is likely to sign before training camp.

The writing has been on the wall for Haden after the Steelers added Levi Wallace and re-signed Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon. Haden was healthy for 12 games last year, missing four weeks with a foot injury and spending time on the reserve/COVID list. The three-time Pro Bowler still views himself as a top corner and is holding out for a long-term deal in free agency.

C Kendrick Green also was activated, although he has been dealing with a calf injury and remains questionable for the season finale. Placed on the COVID list on Wednesday, Haden is benefitting from the new COVID protocol that allows for a quick return. He should be ready to go for a must-win game against the Ravens.

It ends another middling year for Washington, posting a 24/285/2 line on 44 targets while averaging 21 routes per game. After asking for a trade in August, Washington won’t be back with the Steelers as he looks for a clearer path to playing time in free agency. The Steelers activated CB Joe Haden and OL Kendrick Green from the COVID list ahead of Sunday’s finale with the Ravens.

Haden will miss the Steelers’ Week 18 game against the Ravens. Both teams are technically still in the playoff hunt so this is a tough blow to Pittsburgh’s defense. Haden has six pass defenses across 11 starts this year. Ahkello Witherspoon will start in his place.

Look for Haden to see plenty of Julio Jones in this one. Inactive for the Steelers are QB Dwayne Haskins, RB Anthony McFarland, LB Buddy Johnson, TE Kevin Rader, and DT Isaiah Buggs.

Haden has been out just under a month because of the foot issue. He will return to face a Tenneesee offense that has struggled to throw the ball without A.J. Brown or Derrick Henry available. Ryan Tannehill has one 300-yard game in his past 10 outings. Expect that trend to continue versus the Steelers.

Haden’s continued absence is a boost for a Vikings offense adjusting to life after Adam Thielen (high-ankle sprain). The Steelers’ coverage has been extremely shaky without Haden, making tonight a(nother) green-light spot for Justin Jefferson. Joining Haden on the sideline will be QB Dwayne Haskins, RB Anthony McFarland, Robert Spillane, C B.J. Finney, DT Carlos Davis and DT Isaiah Buggs.

T.J. Watt, activated from the COVID-19 list on Saturday, will play in Week 13. As they were in last week’s lopsided loss to the Bengals, the Steelers will be without top CB Haden and run stuffer Buggs. Their absence increases the chances for this game to turn into a back-and-forth affair against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.