Steelers WR Could Finally Get Shot With Dolphins
PITTSBURGH — It’s been a long and tough ride for Chase Claypool since leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers at the trade deadline last season. Since his departure, he’s played just 15 games and has caught only 19 passes. He’s caught just one after being traded from the Chicago Bears to the Miami Dolphins.
But that could change. With Miami dealing with a pretty massive injury to Tyreek Hill, it may finally be time for Claypool to become part of the Dolphins’ offense. Hill is listed as questionable with an ankle injury this week, and one reporter believes a replacement option is the former Steelers’ second-round pick. Omar Kelly of All Dolphins went through all the possible options the Dolphins have to replace Hill if he’s out or limited in Week 15. In his report, he mentions how coaches say there is a package that includes Claypool, and this week might be the time to break it out.
“Miami’s coaches also insist there’s a Claypool package, one that will likely utilize the recently acquired receiver’s size (6-foot-4, 238 pounds). With Hill’s contribution level uncertain, there’s no better time to unleash that package than now,” Kelly writes. “A big target like Claypool should be able to help Miami’s offense in goal-to-go situations. But he’s got to earn the trust of the coaching staff, and that’s hard to do on a short week that only features one practice. “But not having Hill on the field creates an opportunity.” Claypool has been almost exclusively a special teams contributor for the Dolphins since arriving in Week 8. He’s also dealt with a knee injury that required surgery, leaving him active for just five games.
With Hill missing practice throughout the week, though, and plenty of uncertainty with their star wide receiver, maybe this is the week Claypool finally finds his footing in the NFL again. Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
