Chase Claypool missed all of the 2024 NFL season due to a toe injury suffered during training camp with the Buffalo Bills. Initially reported as day-to-day, Claypool tore a ligament and a tendon in his second toe and didn’t play a game for Buffalo.
Desperate for another chance in the NFL, the former second-round pick is currently unsigned. He was one of the best rookies in the NFL in 2020, finishing with 11 total touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was productive in 2021 with 956 scrimmage yards, but had two touchdowns all year and was traded to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick in November 2022.
His production had decreased across the first eight games of the season for the Steelers and he continued to struggle as a Bear. Less than 12 months after acquiring him, Chicago traded Claypool to the Miami Dolphins, where he had 26 scrimmage yards across nine games.
Ready For NFL Return
In a lengthy Instagram post on Friday, Claypool wrote, “It’s been a year since I’ve posted on Instagram, and almost nobody knows what actually happened to me.
“Signing with Buffalo was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. I was the strongest, fastest, and most prepared I had ever been. I was playing my best football — working my way up from LAST (14th) string to taking first-team reps by camp. Most of all, I was doing it with a group of guys I truly appreciated.”
He added, “I tore a ligament and a tendon in my second toe and have been rehabbing, working out, and recovering every day for the past year. I am back to being the strongest and fastest I’ve ever been and couldn’t be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves.
“I deeply and truly believe that the pieces will align, and I will work my way into the position to show off what’s been suppressed these last two years.”
Possible Fantasy Sleeper
Having started only two NFL games since December 2022, Claypool isn’t at the forefront of people’s minds when drafting their fantasy teams. He’s only just turned 27, however, and was WR14 in 2020 and WR34 in 2021. The talent is there for Claypool to be a fantasy asset in 2025 if he lands in the right spot.
A front office is bound to take a chance on the former Steeler in training camp. The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, or Green Bay Packers could find reps for Claypool. Any of those destinations could see Claypool enjoy a career resurgence with Drake Maye, Bo Nix, or Jordan Love delivering him the ball.
While it’s unlikely he gets back to the production he had in his rookie year, a healthy Claypool could still be good for over 650 receiving yards and five or more touchdowns in the right offense. He’s a name to keep an eye on as preseason approaches.
Published: Jul 7, 2025 01:20 pm