Rookie DT Hayden went from practice squad to starter in two weeks
January 2
Gaston Gazette
"The Carolina Panthers didn't want to have to play rookie Nick Hayden this year, preferring instead to give him a whole season to develop on the practice squad.
But plans changed when the Panthers were hit with a slew of injuries at defensive tackle late in the regular season, prompting Hayden to go from running with the scout team two weeks ago to starting this past Sunday against Deuce McAllister and the New Orleans Saints.
"It's crazy how it works," said Hayden, a sixth-round pick out of Wisconsin this past April.
Hayden got a rough indoctrination into the NFL when he was called up to the 53-man roster a few days before the Panthers were to play the New York Giants in a game that would determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Starter Maake Kemoeatu had injured his ankle the previous week and backup Gary Gibson was nursing a hand injury, so the Panthers needed a body.
Hayden played extensively, especially after Carolina's other starter, Damione Lewis, went down in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
The Giants took advantage, rolling up 301 yards on the ground against the Panthers.
"Brandon Jacobs is a big boy," Hayden said when asked what he learned from that game. "I mean, trying to hit him… he's tough. The running backs are a lot more skilled at this level."
This past week, with both Kemoeatu and Lewis sitting out and Gibson on injured reserve, the 6-foot-4, 292-pound Hayden started alongside Darwin Walker against the Saints and did a significantly better job against the run. The Saints fell behind early and ran the ball only 11 times for 50 yards. Hayden finished with two tackles and two quarterback hurries, even drawing a holding penalty against the Saints, forcing them back 10 yards.
"I kept my head up high when I was on the practice squad and just kept trying to get better," said Hayden, who was never more than an Honorable Mention All Big-Ten Player for the Badgers. "As soon as my number got called I knew I would have to grow up at that time and prove to the coaches and my teammates that I can fill that role."
And while Hayden's effort is far from perfect, coach John Fox likes the effort he's seen from Hayden and free agent J'Vonne Parker, who was signed last week.
"Anytime you have two guys that started 15 games for you and they are out for the 16th that hurts you," Fox said after Carolina's 33-31 win over New Orleans. "But I thought we had guys responded great. I think they grew up a little bit. Hopefully we can get both of our starters back for that playoff game.""
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