DJ Hayden officially on PUP list, out up to eight weeks

Oct 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) prevents the pass intended for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday it was reported that DJ Hayden’s foot injury would likely put him on the PUP list for training camp, a big setback for the second year Oakland Raiders cornerback. That was confirmed today as Hayden was one of the Oakland Raiders on the Physically Unable to Perform list, officially ruled out with a stress fracture in his foot that required a small surgery.

Raiders head coach Dennis Allen had confirmed Hayden had an ankle injury during Minicamp, but later tests revealed that Hayden had a stress fracture in his foot after no progress was made in his recovery from the injury sustained during practices last month.

Several Raiders reporters confirmed the news, and a stress fracture in the foot could take up to eight weeks to heal which is a massive blow to the team’s plans at developing consistency at the cornerback position.

Hayden will likely return to action this season based on the timeline for return from his injury, but when he does there will be a huge spotlight on the 2013 first round pick who after hitting the IR during his rookie season is being labelled as injury prone. Perhaps that is unfair for a player who can still come back and play the large majority of the 2014 season, but Raiders fans who are upset over Reggie McKenzie not drafting the likes of Sheldon Richardson and Star Lotulelei have been harsh on Hayden in the wake of his recent injury. Hindsight is 20/20 and Hayden can still return to have a successful second season with the Raiders, but impatient members of Raider Nation are slowly turning on their former first round draft pick.