Josh Hayes Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Buccaneers vs Rams game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Jan 23, 2025
Takes next step in '24
Hayes recorded 35 tackles (22 solo), three defensed passes and one fumble recovery across 15 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
The 2023 sixth-round pick saw a boost in involvement during his second season despite playing in the same number of games, with his snap count on defense jumping from 28 to 256. Hayes is still looking for his first career sack and interception, but he posted a career-high 11 tackles in Week 18 against the Saints while filling in for Jamel Dean (knee) and provided four tackles over 23 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Commanders. Hayes will play out the third year of his rookie contract in 2025 and could carve out a case for a larger role with a strong offseason and training camp.
Jan 8, 2025
Career-high tackle total Sunday
Hayes posted 11 tackles (10 solo) in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
The second-year cornerback drew the start for Jamel Dean (knee) and made good use of his time on the field, which consisted of 65 snaps (98 percent). Hayes was easily a career high -- he'd previously topped out at six stops in Weeks 9 and 10 this season -- but he's projected to return to a rotational role if Dean is able to return for Sunday night's wild-card matchup against the Commanders.
Dec 15, 2024
Ready to play Sunday
Hayes (hamstring) was deemed active ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Hayes missed last week's win against the Raiders with a hamstring injury and did not return to practice in full until Friday. Across 11 appearances, the 25-year-old has tallied 20 tackles and three passes defended. He will now reprise his role as Tampa Bay's primary reserve cornerback while also working on specfial teams.
Dec 13, 2024
Could return Sunday
Hayes (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Hayes appears to be trending toward suiting up for Sunday's contest, as he upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to a full practice session Friday. The second-year corner from Kansas State is expected to serve as the Bucs' top reserve corner if he can play in Week 15. If not, expect Tyrek Funderburk to see increased work in Tampa Bay's secondary.
Dec 7, 2024
Won't play vs. Raiders
Hayes (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes popped up on Friday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a hamstring injury, and the issue is severe enough for him to be sidelined for Sunday's contest. He's mostly served on special teams this season, but Hayes' absence means Dallis Flowers will be the primary backup at outside corner Sunday behind starters Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum.
Nov 4, 2024
Back in Monday night
Hayes (leg) has returned to Monday night's game against the Chiefs, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback exited in the third quarter due to cramps. Hayes has six tackles (five solo), a pass breakup and a fumble recovery in the game.
Nov 4, 2024
Questionable to return Monday night
Hayes (leg) is questionable to return to Monday night's game against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback left the game in the third due to cramping. Hayes recorded five tackles (four solo), a pass breakup and a fumble recovery before exiting. Tavierre Thomas and Keenan Isaac are the other available backup corners for Tampa Bay.
Sep 22, 2024
Returning to action
Hayes (ankle) is active Sunday against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Hayes was unable to play in Week 2 against the Lions but is healed enough to suit up in Week 3. He'll add depth to the Buccaneers' secondary and help chip in on special teams.
Sep 13, 2024
Won't play Sunday
Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest against the Lions, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes was unable to practice both Wednesday and Thursday after sustaining an ankle injury during the Buccaneers' Week 1 win, so it's no surprise that he won't be suiting up Sunday. Expect Christian Izien and Tyrek Funderburk to see more work in Tampa Bay's secondary as Hayes continues to recover.
Sep 8, 2024
Out with ankle injury
Hayes suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's Week 1 game against Washington and won't return to the contest, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
It's not clear when Hayes suffered the injury, but he was ruled out early in the third quarter. His exit was preceded by fellow cornerback Zyon McCollum leaving the game after entering concussion protocols, and Bryce Hall was carted off the field with a right leg injury shortly after Hayes was ruled out. That leaves Tampa Bay with just one healthy cornerback (Jamel Dean).
Jan 15, 2024
Active Monday
Hayes (knee) is active for Monday's wild card game against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes exited Tampa Bay's Week 18 win over the Panthers with the knee injury. The rookie has played 278 snaps on special teams and 28 on defense this season, recording 17 tackles. Hayes should play a depth cornerback role in the playoff matchup with Philadelphia.
Jan 7, 2024
Forced out Sunday
Hayes was forced out with a knee injury during Sunday's 9-0 win over the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes sustained a knee injury at some point during Sunday's action, and he was deemed doubtful to return before the end of the contest. It's unclear if the 24-year-old returned during the second half, which will leave his status up in the air as the Buccaneers now prepare to play in the Wild Card round of the postseason after the team secured a spot as the NFC champions.
Dec 20, 2023
Full practice Wednesday
Hayes (illness) was a full participant at the Buccaneers' practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Hayes missed the team's 34-20 win over the Packers in Week 15 due to an illness, but he now looks to be ready to go for Sunday's matchup with Jacksonville. The 24-year-old will be back in his depth role at cornerback in Tampa Bay's secondary.
Dec 17, 2023
Late scratch Sunday
Hayes (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
Hayes was added to the Sunday injury report after picking up an illness and will miss his second game of the season. The rookie sixth-round draft pick has primarily played on special teams and has accumulated 14 tackles (eight solo) over 12 games.
Nov 19, 2023
Returning to action Sunday
Hayes (concussion) isn't among the Buccaneers' inactives for Sunday's clash with San Francisco, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes missed Week 10 against Tennessee while working his way through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but he'll be back on the field Sunday to face San Francisco. The rookie has yet to see any work on defense this season, logging all 151 of his snaps on special teams.
Nov 10, 2023
Won't play vs. Titans
Hayes (concussion) is out for Sunday's game versus Tennessee, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hayes will miss the first game of his NFL career in Week 10 as he works his way back from a concussion. He's played exclusively on special teams in 2023, so Tampa Bay will need to try to find a way to replace his production in that phase.
Apr 29, 2023
Selected by Bucs
The Buccaneers selected Hayes in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, 181st overall.
ANALYSIS
Hayes is capable of playing both corner and safety, and he served in the latter role in his final collegiate season with Kansas State. He played a significant role on defense, tallying seven passes defended while also making 71 tackles. Hayes will almost certainly be limited to a special teams role early in his career, and he may not progress beyond that.
Apr 29, 2023
Selected by Bucs
The Buccaneers selected Hayes in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, 181st overall.
ANALYSIS
Hayes is capable of playing both corner and safety, and he served in the latter role in his final collegiate season with Kansas State. He played a significant role on defense, tallying seven passes defended while also making 71 tackles. Hayes will almost certainly be limited to a special teams role early in his career, and he may not progress beyond that.
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