The Oakland Raiders made a big move in the NFL draft earlier this year by moving back to take DJ Hayden with the 12th overall pick and now that pick in DJ Hayden will be out for the season after being placed on season ending IR after getting groin surgery and bring sup questions about Reggie McKenzie's decision to take him.
According to ESPN.com, Hayden was placed on IR after dealing with sports hernia surgery and that ends his season after playing in eight games and making 26 tackles with one interception. Hayden is a very talented player, but he came out with health issues related to his heart, which kept him out of workouts for a while and while this particular injury was one not related to that, the fact that he is on IR this season after being drafted is a tough move to deal with for the team.
McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen supported the pick and are excited about Hayden and his future, but now he will be out for the season and this comes after he missed time in the preseason, playing in just the finale of the schedule. Hayden showed some nice skills, including on his interception against the Chargers, but he went up and down at times, giving up some big gains and against the Eagles in the huge blowout a couple weeks ago, he gave up some big plays to DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper, combining for two long scores and over 130 yards.
Hayden now has time to recover and get ready for next season and while the team ranks 25th in passing yards allowed per game, the Raiders are excited about his future. McKenzie knew the risks when he drafted Hayden, but the team felt that he was one of the most talented players in the draft and they traded back to get him with the Miami Dolphins.
"I would say he had his ups and downs," Allen said of Hayden. "He had some times where I thought he played really well, and some times where he looked like a rookie out there. But I think for where he's at, for the things that he's had to go through, I was pleased with his progress and now he's got to go through another rehab process and begin to start getting ready for next year."
