Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) after the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
After it was reported that DJ Hayden’s “rolled ankle” was eventually discovered to be a stress fracture in his foot that required surgery, general manager Reggie McKenzie talked to the media about Hayden’s injury and was still slightly optimistic while saying that the team would have a better timetable for Hayden’s return come Sunday.
From McKenzie:
"We’ll see what happens the next couple of days and see how he responds and what the doctors say.” “It’s still early. Our medical staff can gauge how he is doing and we’ll know the exact timeline. But they’re hopeful. It’s not been negative at all so far, and as of now we’re thinking he will be back sooner than later.”“After Sunday, we’ll have a really good sense of where he is.”"
Following Sunday’s padded practice session, McKenzie again talked to the media except this time there was no optimistic news to report, in fact there was none at all. McKenzie telling Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that there is “no clearer timetable” and that he is still optimistic that Hayden will be back in time for the Raiders season opener on the road against the New York Jets.
#Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said there no clearer time table for CB DJ Hayden yet, but still "optimistic" that he is back for season-opener
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 28, 2014
Regardless on when Hayden does return, it is a fact that the young cornerback will be setback from his stress fracture more than just physically in missing valuable preseason and training camp reps this summer. A player that was looking forward to a full offseason after complications from his life saving surgery in his senior year of college took away his rookie training camp, Hayden’s absence is disappointing on many levels as a player who was looking forward to using the time to get better is no sitting on the sidelines. The jury is still out on how Hayden’s season will be impacted by this injury, but for now the missed time can be easily ruled as a setback.