NAPA, Calif. – First-round pick D.J. Hayden has been cleared to practice by the Oakland Raiders following offseason surgery and has been removed from the non-football injury list.
Hayden took part in the team's first practice Friday, a day after signing his rookie contract and being placed on the injured list. Hayden took part in all of the drills and even some full team sessions but had to wear a red jersey because he has not been cleared for contact.
Hayden's offseason got cut short when he needed surgery in late May to remove scar tissue from his abdominal region. That operation came months after a near-fatal practice injury that ended his college career at Houston early.
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