Hayes signed to Titans practice team

Chad Hayes, a key member of the University of Maine football team in its drive to the NCAA quarterfinals last season, has been signed to the practice squad by the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

Hayes, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end from Old Town, was signed Wednesday, according to Titans media relations director Robbie Bohren.

The All-American will be among five players on the practice squad, from which teams generally draw in the event of injuries. Tennessee has three tight ends on its NFL roster, but backups Erron Kinney (ankle) and Shad Meier (shoulder) have been bothered by injuries.

“We had two tight ends that have been injured over the last couple weeks. We need some depth there,” Bohren said.

The practice squad position opened up Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed a tight end to their active roster off the Titans’ practice squad.

Hayes’ “practice player” contract reportedly will earn him a pro-rated salary for the duration of his stay on the practice squad that is based on approximately $70,000 for an entire season.

“It keeps him in the system, too,” Bohren said, “getting experience and getting better. You never know what it can lead to.”

Hayes had been signed by Kansas City as a free agent last spring, but subsequently was waived by the Chiefs. The former Old Town High standout racked up 39 receptions for 510 yards and nine touchdowns last season at UMaine, helping the Black Bears earn the program’s first NCAA postseason victory.