Josh Hayes: Everything you need to know

Hayes recorded 35 tackles (22 solo), three defensed passes and one fumble recovery across 15 regular-season games in 2024. 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.

Hayes posted 11 tackles (10 solo) in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday. 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.

Hayes (hamstring) was deemed active ahead of Sunday's game versus the Chargers. 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.