Adam

Hayward

Quincy Black moved to the weak side with Adam Heyward joining the lineup at strong side. “We needed some better play out of the (weak-side) linebacker position,” Morris said. It will be a boon to Black’s IDP value. He tied MLB Mason Foster for the team lead in tackles (9) during Sunday’s win over the Saints, and the weak side is a much more production-friendly position than “Sam.”

Mason Foster is in the middle with second-round rookie Lavonte David on the weak side. ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas believes Black will be pushed by Adam Hayward for the gig, but there’s not much IDP upside here either way. The SAM ‘backer doesn’t typically rack up tackles in new coach Greg Schiano’s scheme.

“Hopefully, it can become a non-issue sometime in the near future,” said coach Greg Schiano. “Will he play opening day? I’m not sure — I hope so.” If Foster sits out, undersized special teamer Adam Hayward will draw the start versus the Panthers.

The organization has been “pleased” with Mason Foster, who remains the strong favorite. A special teamer and reserve at all three linebacker spots, Hayward was unable to beat out Foster, Geno Hayes or Quincy Black for a starting job in the past.

Signed to a three-year, $3 million deal ahead of the 2014 season, the special teams ace landed on I.R. in November of 2014 and then missed all of last season with a torn ACL. Hayward turned 32 last month.

Even after missing the last five games with a broken bone near his knee, Hayward still finished second on the Redskins with 11 tackles on special teams. Gruden said Hayward has fully recovered and will be back to captain the special teams unit in 2015. Hayward only played ten snaps at linebacker last season.

Hayward, 30 in June, doesn’t play much defense but is a stalwart on special teams. He racked up eight tackles on coverage units last season. Hayward’s missed just five games in seven seasons. He’ll also back up at the inside ‘backer spot.

Hayward doesn’t play defense but is a special teams cog. He recorded 11 tackles in kick coverage last season before going down with a broken bone near his knee.

It had the looks of a potentially serious issue. Hayward is a core special teamer, but he’ll likely be headed to injured reserve if he’s dealing with anything more than a day-to-day injury.

It’s a procedural move after Hayward tore his ACL in Week 2 of the preseason. A special-teams only player, 31-year-old Hayward is under contract for $885,000 next season.