GREEN BAY, Wis. – Now we know why Casey Hayward sat out the entire offseason.
The Green Bay Packers cornerback revealed Friday that he underwent surgery shortly after last season to have a screw placed in his foot after doctors discovered a stress fracture during a postseason checkup.
Hayward said the injury occurred "over time" and that it wasn't until a few weeks before camp opened on Thursday that he felt completely comfortable pushing off on his surgically repaired foot.
Nevertheless, he has been installed as the early favorite to win the starting job that opened when Tramon Williams signed with the Cleveland Browns in free agency.
"The bone is healed," Hayward said. "My foot is healed. I just have to deal with a little nagging pain here and there, but everybody around here is dealing with nagging pains. I'm not going to do any complaining about it. I'm going to stay on my rehab, make sure my cleats are right, fitted right, things like that."
Hayward said he first felt some discomfort in his foot late last season.
"It didn't really affect me much," said Hayward, who played a part-time role last season as the sixth defensive back in the dime package. "It didn't really affect me at all. I kind of felt it after the season, and it was something that had been bugging me a little bit. After the season, they said the best way is to just go ahead and clear it up since it’s early in the offseason."
Here are some quick-hit notes from Day 2 of training camp:
Plays of the day: Hayward and the rest of the secondary had a strong showing thanks to several pass breakups, tipped balls and interceptions. Safety Morgan Burnett had two interceptions – one on an ill-advised deep throw by rookie Brett Hundley and another off Aaron Rodgers on a deflection by Hayward that ended the no-huddle period after one play. First-round pick Damarious Randall made his best play so far -- a leaping pass breakup on a deep throw by Matt Blanchard intended for Jimmie Hunt. "It just shows what type of athlete he is, what type of player he can be," Hayward said of Randall. "He's been doing a great job since he's been here and hopefully that trend stays going up and he can help this defense out."
More from Mulumba: Keep on an eye on outside linebacker Andy Mulumba when the pads go on for Saturday's practice. Coming off a torn ACL, the third-year player had two productive days in shorts and helmets. On Friday, his pressure off the edge led to Hundley's interception. The former undrafted free agent has made the opening-day roster in each of the last two seasons.
Medical report: Add promising rookie OL Matt Rotheram (ankle) to the injury list. Others held out were WR Jared Abbrederis (concussion), WR Ricky Collins (heel), CB Quinten Rollins (hamstring), RB John Crockett (ankle) and OLB Mike Neal (abdomen). Tight end Andrew Quarless remained on leave because of a family situation.
Feeling sick: Clay Matthews had to cut short his session with reporters because he wasn't feeling well. He coughed several times during the eight-minute discussion at his locker and then said: "Guys, I'm going to have to cut this short, I’m sorry."
