ALAMEDA – Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden is in the midst of a healthy streak, by far the longest of his NFL career. The injury-plagued 2013 first-round has been active since the offseason program, starting every game of the 2015 season.
This comes after two years glued to the sideline with various ailments, from heart issues to foot problems.
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. believes the steady reps have done Hayden some good. He sees growth in this young talent, on a trajectory that could make him a special player ranked among the league’s elite.
“You saw the ball getting thrown deep on him early on.