D.J. Hayden is officially playing football again.
The Oakland Raiders first-round draft pick started at right cornerback against the Chicago Bears on Friday night.
The Bears tested him early with passes to Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and Brandon Marshall all headed Hayden’s direction.
Jeffery and Bennett each hauled in passes for sizable gains but Hayden managed to break up a pass from Jay Cutler to Marshall that was nearly intercepted by defensive end Jason Hunter. He’s got a tackle and a pass defensed through his first defensive series,
For someone who nearly died on the practice fields of the University of Houston because of an injury to his heart last November, it’s a great sight to see.