Report: DJ Hayden could end up on PUP list with foot injury

October 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) intercepts the ball against San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden was supposed to return this summer from an injury plagued 2013 campaign following his freak near death practice injury at the University of Houston, but a foot injury picked up during spring OTA’s put the promising cornerback prospect in a walking boot and has been in it ever since. Recently getting spotted in an Instagram video wearing the boot.

Head coach Dennis Allen has said in the past that he was hoping that the team’s 2013 first round draft pick would be back in time for the team’s training camp which starts later, but according the 95.7 The Game radio personality John Middlekauff Hayden is still not healthy and could win up on the PUP list. (Physically Unable to Perform)

Middlekauff continued by saying that if Hayden is not placed on the PUP list and is in camp, that the second year Raiders would be having a similar preseason schedule to the light one that Raiders fans saw from the cornerback in 2013 where Hayden came in later on in the practice schedule while also wearing a “no contact” jersey.

Clearly this news is a setback for not only the Raiders as a team, but for the perception surrounding the young talent in Hayden who is getting more and more of the negative reputation fans have towards another high draft pick whose had an injury plagued career in Darren McFadden. Unlike the veteran running back, Hayden has yet to make a name for himself on the field save for an impressive performance early in the season against the San Diego Chargers and many impatient fans have been quick to tag Hayden with a “bust” label. There is still hope that Hayden will be ready for the 2014 season, but with a latest injury setback fans frustrations with the player brought in to be the future at the corner for the Raiders will continue as fans just want to see Hayden on the field and getting better.