Raiders D.J. Hayden unable to practice Thursday

October 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden (25) intercepts the ball against San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

After suffering a groin injury on Wednesday but finishing practice, Oakland Raiders rookie corner D.J. Hayden was unable to practice on Thursday. This likely makes him questionable for this week’s game as the Raiders travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants. If Hayden is unable to go this week, it would be the first professional game he has missed in his career.

Despite a chest injury that almost had him bleed out on the field, Hayden has fought his way back onto the field and was drafted 12th overall in this year’s NFL Draft. In the 8 games he has played this season, Hayden has collected 23 solo tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, which contributed to their win over the San Diego Chargers.

The Raiders are in a significant hole within the AFC West and a 3-5 record which puts them fourth in their division, but they are still alive in the race for the second wild card at this point. The rest of their schedule is pretty brutal, but in many ways, the Raiders have already outperformed preseason expectations in which most had them finishing as one of the worst teams in the league.

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