The Oakland Raiders first two draft picks from the 2013 NFL Draft both were hampered by injuries in their rookie seasons as D.J. Hayden and Menelik Watson both failed to stay on the field long enough to get anyone excited about their potential to be future cornerstone pieces of the Raiders roster from years to come. However both have shown flashes of promise in 2014 as Watson has played a consistent role as a starter for much of the season on the offensive line while Hayden has came back from injury to put in two outstanding games against the two best teams in the NFL from last season in the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, including an interception on Peyton Manning to bring some excitement surrounding himself as a first round pick from last year.
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However both 2013 top picks have been placed back on the injured list as a concussion for Watson as well as a groin pull for Hayden have both players in doubt for Week 11 against the San Diego Chargers as the duo were not active in Wednesday’s Raiders practice as the road trip to San Diego draws near.
CB D.J. Hayden, OT Menelik Watson miss #Raiders practice (via @BairCSN) http://t.co/dnQmA8lIo1 #NFL #RaidersTalk pic.twitter.com/daauPDJHqq
— NBC Sports Bay Area & CA (@NBCSAuthentic) November 12, 2014
It is important for the Raiders as well as the careers of Watson and Hayden that both players can finish the 2014 season strong, but the durability of both players has remained as an issue and a talking point this season. There is no doubt that both Watson and Hayden have useful talent to provide to the team, but when they are off of the field and on the sidelines it is a cause of frustration for both fans as well as the coaching staff. Both need to be healthy for this team to improve, so the injury status of the two is another thing that is going wrong for a team that can’t catch a break in 2014.