Trae Waynes

Waynes attended Harborside Academy but played for Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, because Harborside Academy doesn't have sports[http://www.kenoshanews.com/sports/waynes_leading_the_way_for_spartans_479274429.html Waynes leading the way for Spartans] where he was teammate and best friend of running back Melvin Gordon, who would eventually be selected four spots after Waynes in the 2015 NFL draft.{{cite web | last=Schottey | first=Michael | title=The 2015 NFL Draft's Odd Couple: Melvin Gordon and Trae Waynes | website=Bleacher Report | date=2015-04-26 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2442995-the-2015-nfl-drafts-odd-couple-melvin-gordon-and-trae-waynes | access-date=2025-01-03}} At Bradford, Waynes was a multi-sport athlete in football, baseball and track.{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20101001/SPORTS07/101001001/Michigan-State-commit-Trae-Waynes-suffers-season-ending-leg-injury|title=Michigan State commit Trae Waynes suffers season-ending leg injury}} In football, Waynes was named first-team All-Southeast Conference as a junior in 2010. As a senior, he broke his fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle, but still managed to record 38 tackles, two interceptions and four pass break-ups, earning first-team All-state and All-region selections by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. In baseball, Waynes earned first-team All-county honors as an outfielder as a junior in 2010 after leading the Red Devils in home runs (3) and finishing second in batting average (.452, 28-of-62). In addition, he also produced eight doubles and three triples while being caught stealing only once in 26 attempts.{{cite web|url=http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_waynes_765229.html|title=MSUSPARTANS.COM :: Trae Waynes Bio :: Michigan State University Official Athletic Site Michigan State University Official Athletic Site :: Football|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=January 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129111126/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_waynes_765229.html|url-status=dead}}

Waynes was also a standout track & field athlete. In 2010, he won the county indoor track championship in the 60-yard and 220-yard dashes and recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.37 s) at the Midwest Ultimate 100 Camp. In 2011, he finished third in the 100m (10.85 s) at the Division I State T&F Championships,{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net:8081/TrackAndField/meet/126445|title=WIAA D1, D2, & D3 Track & Field State Championships - Track & Field Meet|website=Athletic.net}} and recorded a career-best time of 10.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the SEC Outdoor Conference Meet, where he placed first.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic.net:8081/TrackAndField/meet/133363|title=SEC Outdoor Conference - Track & Field Meet|website=Athletic.net}} He also contributed as a member of the 4 × 100m and 4 × 200-meter relay squads, with bests of 42.26 seconds and 1:28.98 minutes.{{cite web|url=https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/trae-waynes-1529/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094059/https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/trae-waynes-1529/ | archive-date=March 4, 2016| title=Trae Waynes {{!}} Michigan State {{!}} Vikings CB | access-date=November 5, 2023}}

Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Waynes was listed as the No. 94 safety in the nation in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/105413/trae-waynes|title=Trae Waynes - Football Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} He was rated the No. 72 cornerback and No. 94 safety in the nation by Scouts Inc. He was listed among the Midwest's top prospects by SuperPrep at No. 67. He was also rated among Wisconsin's top high school seniors by Rivals.com as the No. 14. Waynes chose Michigan State over scholarship offers from Illinois, Iowa State, and Wisconsin, among others.{{cite web|url=https://rivals.yahoo.com/dlb/football/recruiting/player-Trae-Waynes-101171|title=Rivals.com|website=rivals.yahoo.com}}

Waynes attended Michigan State University from 2011 to 2014, where he was a three-year letterwinner and a two-year starter at cornerback. He was redshirted as a true freshman in 2011 after suffering a season-ending injury when he broke his fibula and tore ligaments in his knee as a senior in high school.

As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Waynes earned his first letter as he appeared in nine games, primarily on special teams and as a backup. In the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl game against TCU, he played a majority of the snaps at cornerback and tallied a season-high three tackles; he was also credited with a half sack for a loss of 1 yard against the Horned Frogs. Waynes finished his freshman season with 5 tackles, including two solo.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Waynes started all 14 games at field cornerback for the Spartans, recording a career-high 50 tackles (1.5 for loss), five pass deflections and three interceptions.{{cite web | last=Austin | first=Kyle | title=With track genes and a physical edge, Michigan State's Trae Waynes moves to all-important boundary corner | website=mlive | date=2014-09-03 | url=https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2014/09/trae_waynes_michigan_state_foo.html | access-date=2025-01-03}} For his season efforts, Waynes was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference pick by the coaches and media, was named to the CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sophomore Team (second team) and received MSU's Tommy Love Award (most improved player on defense).{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2014/08/15/michigan-state-spartans-trae-waynes-darqueze-dennard|title=Trae Waynes is channeling his inner-Darqueze Dennard this season|date=August 15, 2014 }} In the Spartans 2013 Big Ten Football Championship Game win against No. 2 Ohio State, he was credited with four stops. In the 2014 Rose Bowl game against No. 5 Stanford, he recorded his third interception of the season and tallied three tackles, helping Michigan State win their first Rose Bowl since 1988.

{{see also|2014 Michigan State Spartans football team}}

Waynes returned for his junior season in 2014, starting all 13 games at boundary corner. He ranked sixth on the team with 46 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss and one sack for a loss of 4 yards.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/michigan-state-s-trae-waynes-is-spartans-latest-standout-cb-0ap3000000389210|title=Michigan State's Trae Waynes is Spartans' latest standout CB|website=NFL.com}} His career-high eight pass break-ups ranked him second on the team, while his three interceptions were good for a tie at second.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/100019/trae-waynes|title=MSU's Trae Waynes out to join elite family|date=May 2014}} In Week 5, he led the secondary in a victory over No. 19 Nebraska as he posted career-highs in interceptions (2), tackles (7) and pass break-ups (2). On September 6, he had a solid game against No. 3 Oregon with four tackles and a pass break-up. He was credited with a career-high two tackles for loss (9 yards), including a 4-yard sack, and a broken-up a pass at Indiana in Week 7. On November 22, he was selected Spartan Defensive Player of the Week after limiting Rutgers' wide receiver Leonte Carroo to just one catch for 6 yards while recording three tackles; Carroo entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten, averaging 93.3 receiving yards per game. In Waynes's final game as a Spartan, he registered three tackles and a pass break-up in the Cotton Bowl Classic win over #4 Baylor.

His junior season honors included being named second-team All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, Sporting News and Athlon Sports, third-team All-American from the Associated Press (AP), Phil Steele and SI.com (honorable mention). He was also a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and the media, becoming MSU's third first-team All-Big Ten cornerback under head coach Mark Dantonio. Waynes was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back) and was the defensive recipient of MSU's Jim Adams Award (unsung hero).

Waynes collected 101 tackles, six interceptions and 13 pass deflections in 36 career games with the Spartans, including 27 consecutive starts.

Following his junior season, Waynes entered the 2015 NFL Draft.{{cite web | last=Rexrode | first=Joe | title=Michigan State junior CB Trae Waynes leaving for NFL | website=Detroit Free Press | date=2015-01-02 | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2015/01/02/trae-waynes-nfl-michigan-state/21180033/ | access-date=2024-12-14}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/michigan-state-cb-trae-waynes-intends-to-enter-2015-nfl-draft-0ap3000000452958|title=Michigan State CB Trae Waynes intends to enter 2015 NFL Draft|website=NFL.com}} Waynes was considered one of the top cornerbacks of the 2015 class, together with Marcus Peters. In most mock drafts, he was projected to be a top 10 pick. Waynes shined at the 2015 NFL Combine, where he posted the top 40-yard dash time among defensive backs and the second fastest overall (4.31 seconds); that time placed him tied for seventh-fastest among cornerbacks at the combine since 2003. He also finished tied for fourth on the bench press with 19 reps. At his Pro Day, he re-tried the 20-yard shuttle and responded with a 4.18 time.

{{external media

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| video2 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000489344/Vikings-pick-Trae-Waynes-No-11 Waynes gets drafted by Minnesota]

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| note = All values from NFL Combine, 20-yard shuttle from Pro Day{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90652&draftyear=2015&genpos=CB|title=*Trae Waynes - Michigan State, CB : 2015 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile|website=www.nfldraftscout.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/trae-waynes?id=2552448|title = Trae Waynes Stats, News and Video - CB|website = NFL.com}}

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The Minnesota Vikings selected Waynes in the first round (11th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Waynes was the first cornerback drafted in 2015 and became the Vikings' highest drafted cornerback in franchise history, surpassing 1994 first round pick (18th overall) Dewayne Washington.{{cite web|url=http://www.vikings.com/news/featured/article-1/Minnesota-Vikings-Select-Michigan-State-CB-Trae-Waynes/e5562974-78ad-42d5-8fc3-293e3ae62545|title=Minnesota Vikings Select Michigan State CB Trae Waynes|website=Vikings.com|date=April 30, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010212448/http://www.vikings.com/news/featured/article-1/Minnesota-Vikings-Select-Michigan-State-CB-Trae-Waynes/e5562974-78ad-42d5-8fc3-293e3ae62545|archive-date=October 10, 2017}}

On May 7, 2015, the Vikings signed Waynes to a fully guaranteed four-year, $12.94 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $7.67 million.{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Trae Waynes contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/trae-waynes-16735/ |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}

Throughout training camp, Waynes competed against Captain Munnerlyn, Terence Newman, and Josh Robinson to be a starting cornerback.{{cite web |title=Captain Munnerlyn likes the pick of Trae Waynes and is ready for competition |url=http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/2015/04/30/captain-munnerlyn-likes-pick-trae-waynes-ready-competition/ |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=blogs.twincities.com |date=April 30, 2015}} Head coach Mike Zimmer named Waynes the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Xavier Rhodes, Newman, and Munnerlyn.{{cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings Cut 22 Players, Finalize 53-Man Roster |url=https://vikingsterritory.com/2015/transaction/minnesota-vikings-cut-22-players-finalize-53-man-roster |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=vikingsterritory.com |author=Belisle, Austin |date=September 5, 2015}}

He made his professional regular season debut in the Vikings' season-opening 20–3 loss at the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 9, he recorded four solo tackles and made a season-high two pass deflections during a 21–18 win against the St. Louis Rams. Waynes was inactive for the Vikings' Week 12 loss at the Atlanta Falcons due to an ankle injury.{{cite web |title=Trae Waynes Injury: Updates on Vikings CB's Ankle and Return |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2540880-trae-waynes-injury-updates-on-vikings-cbs-ankle-and-return |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=bleacherreport.com |author=Polacek, Scott |date=November 28, 2015}} On December 10, 2015, Waynes earned his first career start as a nickelback after Terence Newman was moved to safety due to multiple injuries. Waynes finished the 23–20 loss at the Arizona Cardinals with a season-high five solo tackles and one pass deflection.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Trae Waynes (2015) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/traewaynes/2552448/gamelogs?season=2015 |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} Waynes finished his rookie season in 2015 with 30 combined tackles (26 solo) and four pass deflections in 15 games and one start.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Trae Waynes (career) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/traewaynes/2552448/careerstats |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} According to Pioneer Press Vikings beat reporter Chris Tomasson, Waynes was the least-used rookie of Minnesota's 18 first-round picks since 2000, except linebacker Chad Greenway, who missed his 2006 rookie season due to a knee injury.

The Vikings finished first in the NFC North with an 11–5 record and earned a playoff berth. On January 10, 2016, Waynes appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles, made two pass deflections, and an interception as the Vikings lost 10–9 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wildcard Game. Waynes was thrust into a pivotal pass defense role during the second half after veteran cornerback Terence Newman suffered an ankle injury. On the Seahawks' first series of the third quarter, quarterback Russell Wilson promptly targeted Waynes and attempted a deep pass to rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett, but it was broken up by Waynes. Five plays later on a fourth-and-three situation, Waynes intercepted Wilson at the Vikings' 22-yard line after the ball was tipped by a Seahawks' tight end.

During training camp, Waynes competed to be a starting cornerback against Newman, Munnerlyn, and rookie Mackensie Alexander.{{cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings Roster Overview: The secondary |url=https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/news/minnesota-vikings-roster-overview-secondary-021223917.html |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=Yahoo.com |author=Erwin, Austin |date=June 29, 2016}} Zimmer named Waynes the third cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Rhodes and Terence Newman.{{cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart: 10/01/2016 |url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/188/MIN |access-date=November 7, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}}

Waynes was inserted as the No. 1 cornerback for the first two regular season games after Rhodes sustained a hamstring injury during pre-game warmups against the Titans.{{cite web| title=Injured Vikings Xavier Rhodes, Sharrif Floyd will not play Sunday vs. Packers| url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/09/16/injured-vikings-xavier-rhodes-sharrif-floyd-will-not-play-sunday-vs-packers/| access-date=April 20, 2018| website=TwinCities.com| date=September 16, 2016}} He started in the Vikings' season-opener at the Tennessee Titans and collected a season-high ten solo tackles during their 25–16 victory. The following week, Waynes was moved to nickelback and replaced at outside cornerback by Alexander after drawing consecutive penalties in the third quarter and struggling to cover wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Waynes finished the Vikings' 17–14 win against the Green Bay Packers with four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and an interception. His interception off a pass by Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the first interception in U.S. Bank Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2016/09/410425/|title=Picked on early, Trae Waynes' interception seals win late for Vikings - 1500 ESPN Twin Cities|date=September 19, 2016}} On December 11, 2016, Waynes recorded one tackle and broke up a pass before exiting in the third quarter of the Vikings' 25–16 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a concussion.{{cite web |title=Trae Waynes Injury: Updates on Vikings CB's Concussion and Return |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2645923-trae-waynes-injury-updates-on-vikings-cbs-concussion-and-return |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=bleacherreport.com |author=Polacek, Scott |date=December 11, 2016}} The following week, Waynes remained in concussion protocol and was inactive for their Week 15 loss against the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings: Final Injury Reports For Both Teams |url=https://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/12/16/13987048/indianapolis-colts-minnesota-vikings-final-injury-reports |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=dailynorseman.com |author=Gates, Christopher |date=December 16, 2016}} In Week 17, he recorded two solo tackles, made a season-high three pass deflections, and made one interception during a 38–10 victory against the Chicago Bears.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Trae Waynes (2016) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/traewaynes/2552448/gamelogs?season=2016 |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}} He finished the season with 50 combined tackles (42 solo), 11 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 15 games and eight starts.

File:Maurice Harris, Trae Waynes (24501660158).jpg in 2017]]

Waynes entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback. Zimmer retained Waynes and Rhodes as the starting cornerback tandem to begin the regular season.{{cite web |title=Vikings release first depth chart of 2017 |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Minnesota-Vikings-release-first-depth-chart-of-2017-105865253/ |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=247Sports.com}}{{cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart: 10/01/2017 |url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/200/MIN |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=Ourlads.com}} He started in the Vikings' season-opener against the New Orleans Saints and collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 29–19 victory. On December 23, 2017, Waynes recorded three solo tackles, made a pass deflection, and made his first career sack during a 16–0 win at the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Waynes sacked Packers' quarterback Brett Hundley for a four-yard loss in the third quarter.{{cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - December 23rd, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712230gnb.htm |access-date= November 8, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}} Waynes started in all 16 games in 2017 and recorded 65 combined tackles (57 solo), 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack. Waynes received an overall grade of 79.1 from Pro Football Focus in 2017. His grade was ranked 52nd among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2017.{{cite web |title=The 2017 Pro Football Focus Grades of Every Minnesota Viking |url=https://vikingsterritory.com/2018/analysis/the-2017-pro-football-focus-grades-of-every-minnesota-viking |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=vikingsterritory.com |author=Borman, Sean |date=January 11, 2018}}

The Vikings finished the season first in the NFC North with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye. On January 14, 2018, Waynes started his first career playoff game and recorded four solo tackles and broke up one pass during a 29–24 win against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round. The following week, he made three combined tackles and broke up a pass as the Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs after a 38–7 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Trae Waynes (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/traewaynes/2552448/gamelogs?season=2017 |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}

On April 30, 2018, the Vikings exercised the fifth-year, $9.06 million option on Waynes' rookie contract.{{cite web|title=Vikings Exercise Fifth-Year Option on CB Trae Waynes|url=http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Exercise-Fifth-Year-Option-on-CB-Trae-Waynes/bed18de0-6396-4b4c-af28-c59c2310f056|author=Smith, Eric|website=Vikings.com|date=April 30, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527055839/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Exercise-Fifth-Year-Option-on-CB-Trae-Waynes/bed18de0-6396-4b4c-af28-c59c2310f056|archive-date=May 27, 2018}} Defensive coordinator George Edwards retained Waynes and Rhodes as the starting cornerback tandem entering training camp. Zimmer officially named Waynes and Rhodes the starters to begin the regular season, alongside safeties Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo.{{cite web | last=Greitzer | first=Mike | title=Vikings release first official depth chart for the 2018 season | website=The Viking Age | date=2018-09-04 | url=https://thevikingage.com/2018/09/04/minnesota-vikings-first-official-depth-chart/ | access-date=2024-12-14}}

Waynes was inactive for the Vikings' Week 5 victory at the Eagles after spraining his ankle the previous week.{{cite web |title=Vikings' Trae Waynes: Suffers ankle injury |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/vikings-trae-waynes-suffers-ankle-injury/ |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=Cbssports.com |date=September 28, 2018}} In Week 7, Waynes recorded three combined tackles, made a career-high four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Jets' quarterback Sam Darnold during a 37–17 win at the New York Jets.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Trae Waynes (2018) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/traewaynes/2552448/gamelogs?season=2018 |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}

File:Trae Waynes 2019.jpg ]]

In week 7 against the Detroit Lions, Waynes recorded his first interception of the season off Matthew Stafford in the 42–30 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127947 |title=Cousins has 4 TD passes as Vikings surge past Lions 42-30 |date=October 20, 2019 |website=ESPN |access-date=October 20, 2019}}

On March 27, 2020, Waynes signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite web|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-announce-agreements-with-eight-unrestricted-free-agents|title= Bengals Announce Agreements With Eight Unrestricted Free Agents |date=April 8, 2020|work=Bengals.com}}{{cite web|title=Bengals agree to terms on three-year, $42 million deal with Trae Waynes|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/17/bengals-agree-to-terms-on-three-year-42-million-deal-with-trae-waynes/|author=Williams, Charean|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 17, 2020}} On September 7, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.{{cite web|title=Bengals Re-Sign McTyer, Place Waynes on Reserve/Injured|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-re-sign-mctyer-place-waynes-on-reserve-injured|website=Bengals.com|date=September 7, 2020}} He was moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 6, 2020,{{cite news |author=Roling, Clint |title=Bengals send Trae Waynes, Fred Johnson to Reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/07/bengals-send-trae-waynes-fred-johnson-reserve-covid-19-list/ |website=USAToday.com |date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=December 7, 2020}} and activated from the list back to injured reserve on November 18.{{cite news |title=Bengals' Trae Waynes: Cleared from COVID list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bengals-trae-waynes-cleared-from-covid-list/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=December 7, 2020}}

After missing the first three games with a hamstring injury, he made his Bengals debut in Week 4 of the 2021 season. He started the next two games before re-injuring the hamstring injury in Week 5. He was placed on injured reserve on October 12.{{cite web|title=Trae Waynes To Reserve/Injured List, Sign Two To The Practice Squad|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/trae-waynes-to-reserve-injured-list-sign-two-to-the-practice-squad|website=Bengals.com|date=October 12, 2021}} He was activated on December 18.{{cite web|title=Bengals Make Roster Moves Ahead Of Week 15 At Denver|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-make-roster-moves-ahead-of-week-15-at-denver|website=Bengals.com|date=December 18, 2021}} Waynes remained on the roster and active throughout the Bengals' playoff run and in Super Bowl LVI, though only playing very few select special teams snaps.{{Cite web |title=Trae Waynes 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WaynTr00.htm |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 21, 2022, Waynes was released by the Bengals.{{cite web | last=Baby | first=Ben | title=Bengals release CB Waynes after injury issues | website=ESPN.com | date=2022-03-21 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33565605/cincinnati-bengals-release-cornerback-trae-waynes-two-injury-plagued-seasons | access-date=2024-12-14}}

In a June 20 interview, Waynes noted that he was no longer interested in continuing his NFL career, saying 'In my head, I'm done.'{{cite web | last=Shook | first=Nick | title=Veteran CB Trae Waynes ready to move on from NFL career: 'In my head, I'm done' | website=NFL.com | date=2022-06-20 | url=https://www.nfl.com/_amp/veteran-cb-trae-waynes-ready-to-move-on-from-nfl-career-in-my-head-i-m-done | access-date=2024-12-14}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_waynes_765229.html Michigan State Spartans bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129111126/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/trae_waynes_765229.html |date=January 29, 2015 }}
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{{2015 NFL Draft}}

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football cornerbacks

Category:Cincinnati Bengals players

Category:Michigan State Spartans football players

Category:Minnesota Vikings players

Category:Players of American football from Kenosha, Wisconsin

Category:Mary D. Bradford High School alumni