
ALAMEDA –- D.J. Hayden doesn’t love talking about himself in general, especially when health is a topic on the table. He’s been through too many injuries in his young NFL career, given too many progress updates on heart issues, surgical complications, fractured feet and groin strains far too often for that to be fun. That discussion normally devolves into what he can’t do, how he’s hindered and, later, how that impacts the former first-round pick's performance.
Hayden couldn't care less what outsiders think, but all the ailments would wear on even the toughest psyche.
Injuries were a common thread for two seasons, as he dealt with aftereffects of a major heart condition coming out of the draft and then a sequence of maddening football injuries that kept him out of 14 games in that span.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The injury angle is slowly fading into the rearview. Hayden has been healthy for more than a year now, and all the focus is on his performance. That hasn’t always been good, but it’s getting better.
On Sunday against the San Diego, Hayden was at his present best. He had 10 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and two passes defensed. He also several receptions, but most of them went nowhere due to sure tackling. He played physical. He played aggressive. He made a positive impact in victory.
Even Hayden had to admit that.
“It’s definitely the best game I’ve put together this season,” Hayden said. “It’s in the past now. Now I have to prepare for New York and put together another good game.”
NFL
Much like his Raiders, Hayden needs to string good performances together. That, it seems, is the next step in his growth. Hayden as a ways to go, but has worked hard to reach an elevator pointing straight up.
Getting past injuries was step No. 1.
“After he got over that, I felt like his body was strong enough to at least be more physical in his play,” general manager Reggie McKenzie said. “With that, he began to get confident. That was his No. 1 thing. He wasn’t a confident player for whatever reason.
[BAIR: McKenzie, upstart Raiders ‘avoided traps, focused on big picture’]
“Right now I think he feels good about his athletic ability and his body. Now it’s just mentally trying to figure out what (secondary coaches Marcus Robertson and Rod Woodson) want him to do. I think the more games he has like this past week, the more confidence he’ll get. He has got a ways to go that way but, as soon as he realizes the depth and talent of his skill set, he’s going to be a solid football player.”
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., with an occasional penchant for hyperbole when trying to pump up his players, said last week Hayden is growing into one of the best corners in the league. In time, who knows? Hayden was a first-round pick for a reason.
Norton’s main point was that health and steady reps have allowed Hayden to grow and gain the confidence he lacked. His progress hasn’t been a steady climb. He has struggled at times this season and has been picked on some, but he’s getting beat deep less and tackling better.
Others can see that, too.
“From the time I’ve known DJ he’s definitely grown in knowledge and skill,” defensive back TJ Carrie said. “That’s a guy with tons of talent who will keep getting better.”
Hayden is still growing and evolving as a player, maybe a bit behind other third-year pros considering how much he has been through. That’s why this time is so key to his development and why, as McKenzie said earlier, confidence in his ability and preparation can truly set him free.
“DJ is a good young player, and he’s getting better every day, better every week,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “I’m just really happy for him because the hard work, it does pay off. When you have skill like he does, he’s blessed with some ability, and you work hard every day like he has, good things will happen for you.”