There weren’t too many bright spots in a drama-filled year for the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2021 NFL season, but they did unearth a gem in fifth-round cornerback Nate Hobbs.
Hobbs had to fight for a roster spot during training camp last year, but he not only made the team but also became a key piece of their improved defense. Entering Year 2, Hobbs is set to take on more responsibility in the secondary as he toggles between nickel and outside.
There’s no denying the young defensive back’s resiliency and competitive edge, and he proved to be as tough as they come as he recently revealed he played his entire rookie season with a torn labrum via Tashan Reed of The Athletic:
“Of course, I was a rookie trying to make the team,” Hobbs told The Athletic on Wednesday, “And I’m like, ‘Nah, I ain’t sitting out. I’ma play on it until I can’t no more.’”
Hobbs discussed how he was able to manage the injury and credited his daily routine for helping him get through it each week:
“A lot of training room sessions. I was in the training room dang near every day,” Hobbs said. “I wore a brace. A lot of Tylenol, Ibuprofen. And really just wanting it, you know what I’m saying? Really just not letting anything get in my way. Of course, it bugged me. I missed tackles because of it. It was plays I felt like I could have made without it. But all that was an excuse to me. It is what it is. Either you gonna get with it or give up.”
Hobbs eventually got surgery to repair the labrum after the Raiders lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round, and so far looks fully healthy.
With the Silver and Black looking to change their postseason hopes, they’ll need Hobbs at 100 percent to help them achieve that goal.
