Hayward (pectoral) has received full medical clearance ahead of the start of the 2023 regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hayward was released by Atlanta back in April with a failed physical designation, but he's now fully healthy and ready to search for a depth role entering his 12th NFL season. The veteran cornerback will turn 34 years old just before Sunday's slate of Week 1 matchups kicks off, but he was a 17-game starter for the Raiders as recently as 2021.
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Falcons' Casey Hayward: Recovering from pectoral surgery
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Hayward is recovering from pectoral surgery and said Tuesday, "I'm doing good. Hopefully, by OTAs and camp, I'll be 100 percent," D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Hayward started the first six games of 2022 before being placed on IR with what was initially reported as a shoulder injury. The two-time Pro Bowler missed the remainder of the campaign and appears to have undergone surgery, though it's unclear when the procedure took place. If he's healthy, Hayward figures to slot into the starting cornerback spot opposite A.J. Terrell in 2023, but Atlanta may still add a few more pieces to its secondary this offseason.
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Falcons' Casey Hayward: Makes trip to Charlotte
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Hayward (shoulder) traveled with the Falcons for their Thursday night matchup in Carolina, though he was spotted wearing a sling, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
The fact that Hayward traveled with the team suggests that he's made progress in his recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained back in Week 6 versus the 49ers. While the veteran cornerback along with A.J. Terrell (hamstring) continue nursing injuries, Darren Hall, Rashad Fenton and Isaiah Oliver are slated for added reps in the team's secondary.
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Raiders' Casey Hayward: Active for Week 18
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Hayward (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Hayward was limited during Friday's practice session due to an ankle injury, but he'll be able to play through the issue in Sunday's regular-season finale. He's totaled 12 tackles (eight solo) and two pass defenses across the last five games.
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Raiders' Casey Hayward: Ready to play Sunday
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Hayward (illness) was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Hayward was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday but managed to come off the designation in time for Sunday's bout against the Colts. The veteran cornerback has been a crucial secondary piece in his first year with the Raiders.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Considered questionable
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Hayward (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots.
Hayward was unable to practice all week before returning in limited fashion Friday. His return to practice is certainly cause for optimism, but he is still seemingly trending toward a game-time decision. If he is ultimately unable to give it a go, some combination of Tevaughn Campbell and Michael Davis would presumably again see increased roles in his absence.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Injures groin
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Hayward suffered a groin injury during Sunday's game against the Jets.
Hayward is officially listed as questionable to return Sunday, but he left the field with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With Chris Harris (foot) still on IR and Brandon Facyson (illness) on the reserve COVID-19 list, Michael Davis and Tevaughn Campbell are currently the Chargers' only healthy cornerbacks.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Questionable for Week 9
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Hayward is questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders for non-injury reasons, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Coach Anthony Lynn said it was a "fluid situation," so Hayward's availability appears to be truly up in the air. Tevaughn Campbell could see a heavily increased role Sunday, especially with Brandon Facyson (illness) also questionable.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Had calf rolled up on
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Hayward said Monday that he missed the final drive of last week's loss to Denver because his calf was rolled up on earlier in the fourth quarter, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Hayward's practice participation this week should reveal whether the calf injury is still bothering him. He'll hope to heal up in time to face the Raiders on Sunday.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Leaves with injury
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Hayward missed the fourth quarter of Monday's game against the Saints due to injury, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Chargers have yet to reveal any details about Hayward's injury, but it was significant enough to force him out for the fourth quarter and overtime. Tevaughn Campbell could see time at corner if the injury is significant.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Career low in tackles
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Hayward piled together 32 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions over the course of 16 games this season.
After a 2018 season in which Hayward failed to pick up a single interception, the veteran managed to accumulate two despite a down season overall from the Chargers. Just 32 tackles across 16 games is easily a career worst for Hayward, but it emphasizes how little he was targeted throughout the season compared to the likes of Michael Davis and Brandon Facyson, who both took turns as the No. 2 corner for portions of the year.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Interception on Sunday
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Hayward recorded two tackles, three passes defensed and an interception across 79 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Bears.
Hayward snagged his second interception of the season after a 2018 campaign in which he did not record any. The veteran has played in 98 percent of the team's defensive snaps this year. He will now shift his focus to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' high-powered offense when Green Bay comes to town Sunday.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Active versus Miami
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Hayward (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Hayward wasn't able to practice all week due to a back issue, but he'll ultimately take the field Week 4 versus Miami. The shutdown cornerback has played every snap on defense for the Chargers this season.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Unable to replicate 2017 season
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Hayward finished the 2018 campaign with 46 tackles (41 solo) and eight pass deflections across 16 games.
More notably, Hayward did not record a single interception all season, marking only the third time in his seven-year career and first time with the Chargers he's failed to pick off a pass during a given campaign. While the 29-year-old certainly would have liked to have recorded more turnovers, it's difficult to do that when the opponent isn't throwing the ball near him, as opposing QBs attempted just 63 passes to Hayward's side of the field in 2018. Part of a deep and talented secondary, Hayward shouldn't be on many people's radars in terms of fantasy next season, but his role as a shutdown corner is invaluable to the likes of Desmond King, Derwin James and Adrian Phillips, who all thrived in their respective roles this year.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Active Saturday
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Hayward (calf) is listed as active Saturday at Kansas City.
Hayward developed soreness from his calf to his Achilles by week's end, earning a questionable designation. In advance of this game, the Chargers promoted cornerback Craig Mager from the practice squad, seemingly as a backup plan. No matter, Hayward has been cleared by the training staff and will suit up at his typical left cornerback spot.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Returns to practice
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Hayward (hamstring) returned to practice Thursday, Eric Williams of ESPN.com reports.
The hamstring injury wasn't viewed as severe, so it's not surprising to see him return at this point. There has been no indication on whether the 27-year-old will play in Saturday's preseason matchup with the Rams, but even if he does suit up, expect the Chargers to exercise caution.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Sidelined during Tuesday's practice
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Hayward (ankle) did not practice Tuesday, Eric Williams of ESPN reports.
Hayward could be out a little while longer as he rehabs from his ankle injury. The Chargers aren't going to rush him back onto the field yet, with regular-season implications in mind.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Records pix-sick in loss
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Hayward recorded three tackles, three passes defended and one interception which he returned for a touchdown during the loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Hayward probably should have had two interceptions returned for touchdowns, as the former Packers cornerback dropped what appeared to be an easy pick-six in the second quarter. With Sunday's performance, Hayward now leads the team with four interceptions, but he recorded the prior three interceptions during the first three games of the season.
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Chargers' Casey Hayward: Snags two interceptions
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Hayward recorded two interceptions and four solo tackles in the win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Hayward became the first Chargers player since 2011 to record multiple interceptions in a game, as the former Packers cornerback hounded Blake Bortles all afternoon. Both interceptions came in the first half, effectively stymieing the explosive Jaguars offense for the majority of the first half. While Hayward has seen plenty of snaps through two weeks, that's due to the fact that the Chargers have built impressive leads early, making their opposition have to come back through the air. As the nickel cornerback, Hayward should still see plenty of time on the field, but not enough to warrant IDP consideration on most weeks.
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Packers' Casey Hayward: Probable to face Lions
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Hayward (concussion) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.
Damarious Randall (illness) and Quinten Rollins (neck) are also listed as probable, so the Packers probably won't feel any need to rush Sam Shields (shoulder) back from his own injury. Hayward is locked in as an every-down player.
