When the Raiders begin training camp in two days, cornerback D.J. Hayden reportedly may not be a participant.
John Middlekauff of 95.7 FM “The Game” in San Francisco reports Hayden continues to recover from a lower leg injury suffered in OTAs and could be placed on PUP to start camp.
The injury has been called either an ankle injury or a foot injury in published reports, and Hayden reportedly wore a boot on the injured lower leg in offseason workouts.
The Raiders’ first-round pick in 2013, Hayden appeared in just eight games, with a groin injury ending his season. He also missed time last summer after abdominal surgery.
According to Middlekauff, Hayden may not be a “full participant” in training camp even if he isn’t placed on the reserve list.
By placing Hayden on PUP before camp, the Raiders would have the option to keep him on the list as long as needed. However, they couldn’t add him once the practices begin.
Hayden is expected to be a key part of a secondary that also includes former 49ers cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown.
