Atlanta Falcons release CB Casey Hayward after 1 season
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) watches against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game in Detroit, Nov. 6, 2022. The Lions are trading Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons for a fifth-round pick, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal had not been announced. Credit: AP/Paul Sancya
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Cornerback Casey Hayward was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Friday after one injury-plagued season.
Hayward was midway through a two-year deal with the Falcons, who saved $5 million in cap space by releasing the two-time Pro Bowler. The team will incur a $2 million dead cap hit.
The Falcons brought in Hayward, who grew up in Georgia, to pair with star cornerback A.J. Terrell.
But Hayward lasted only six games before a season-ending shoulder injury. He had one interception, deflected three passes and recorded 17 tackles for the Falcons.
The 33-year-old was a Pro Bowler with the Chargers in 2016 and 2017. He also has played for the Packers and Raiders over his 11-year career.
Hayward became expandable after the Falcons traded for cornerback Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick by Detroit in 2020, and signed Mike Hughes in free agency.
The team also could pursue a cornerback in next week's draft.
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