Former Steelers Receivers in the Spotlight
This week has seen a flurry of activity surrounding several former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers, each making headlines for different reasons. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was with the New England Patriots, was released on Tuesday. Smith-Schuster’s stint in New England, which was relatively brief, ended as he now seeks another team to harness his unique talents.
Martavis Bryant Joins Washington
Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders made a significant roster move by signing Martavis Bryant. Known for his remarkable speed and big-play ability, Bryant's addition is a strategic effort by the Commanders to strengthen their receiving corps. Bryant's dynamic style is expected to bring a new dimension to the Commanders' offense.
Chase Claypool's Injury Dilemma
The Buffalo Bills are dealing with a critical situation involving Chase Claypool, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a toe injury on July 28. Initially described as "day-to-day" by head coach Sean McDermott, the severity of Claypool’s condition has raised concerns that he may miss the entire 2024 season. “It's a shame because [some new players have] missed a considerable amount of time – Chase being one of them,” expressed McDermott, highlighting the challenge of evaluating talent under such circumstances.
Selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Claypool showed immense promise during his rookie season by scoring 11 touchdowns and setting a franchise record as the first rookie in Steelers history to score four touchdowns in a single game. However, his following seasons were marred by inconsistency. In 2021, Claypool managed just two touchdown catches and was subsequently traded to the Chicago Bears before the 2022 trade deadline.
During his tenure with the Bears and the Dolphins, Claypool’s performance was underwhelming, catching only one touchdown through Pittsburgh's first eight games and securing just eight of 21 targets. Despite these struggles, Claypool had earned praise during spring practices with the Buffalo Bills, showing signs of a potential rebound. McDermott’s comments reflect a hopeful perspective, “I think he's come in and done all that we could have asked to this point,” and “He's been a good teammate, worked hard, been focused, made plays out there and I think that'll continue as we move forward.”
Stefon Diggs' Departure
The Bills were also involved in trading Stefon Diggs to Houston, creating a ripple that has yet to fully settle within the team dynamics. Amid these transitions, McDermott affirmed, “We're happy to have him,” referring to the positive presence that Claypool has maintained within the squad despite his injury troubles.
Claypool, now 26 years old, faces an uncertain future as he battles to return to the field. His tenacity and commitment to recovery are evident in McDermott’s words: “And I know he's fighting like crazy to get back, and we're anxious to have him back.” The Buffalo Bills, undoubtedly, will be keeping close tabs on his progress, hoping for a miraculous return that can bolster their receiving options for the upcoming seasons.