Green Bay Packers activate Jerel Worthy, place Casey Hayward on IR
Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward works out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers made several roster moves pertaining to injury designations yesterday, and the biggest one was probably placing nickel corner Casey Hayward on the injured reserve to officially end his season. Hayward was one of the best rookies last season, and he emerged as an elite slot defender. However, he tore his hamstring in the preseason, had numerous setbacks on it during the season, and then he recently re-injured. This aggravation sealed Hayward’s fate this season, so it is unsurprising to hear that the Packers have placed him on the injured reserve.
It’s a sad story for Hayward, and we can only hope that he can get over his nagging hamstring issues and resume his ways of being an elite slot corner next season. In the meantime, it’s up to other CBs on the roster like Micah Hyde to continue to step up, as the Packers still have their eyes set on the division crown.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, the Packers also activated second-year defensive end Jerel Worthy and safety Sean Richardson off of the PUP list. Richardson will just have a role on special teams, whereas Worthy will be a key part of the Packers rotation on the defensive line. Worthy is an intriguing, young player who had an excellent college career with the Michigan State Spartans, so keep an eye out for how he plays and how he has improved from last season.
The Packers also placed cornerback James Nixon on the injured reserve.