Former Steelers Wide Receivers Making Headlines
This week has been eventful for several former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers, with notable roster changes and injury updates impacting their careers.
JuJu Smith-Schuster's Short-Lived Stint with Patriots Ends
JuJu Smith-Schuster, whose time with the New England Patriots was brief, was released on Tuesday. Smith-Schuster had joined the Patriots with high hopes, but his tenure was cut short, leaving him searching for a new team that can make full use of his talents. As a fan favorite during his time with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster's future remains a topic of keen interest among NFL enthusiasts.
Washington Commanders Sign Martavis Bryant
Meanwhile, Martavis Bryant, another former Steelers wide receiver, has found a new home with the Washington Commanders. Known for his speed and big-play capability, Bryant's addition is part of the Commanders' strategic move to strengthen their receiving corps. Bryant's ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays is expected to be a valuable asset to the Commanders' offense.
Chase Claypool's Injury Setback
In Buffalo, wide receiver Chase Claypool has faced a significant setback. The Buffalo Bills placed Claypool on injured reserve due to a toe injury he sustained on July 28. Initially described by head coach Sean McDermott as a "day-to-day" issue, the injury has proven to be more severe, sparking concerns that Claypool might 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,” McDermott lamented. “It's just hard to evaluate when the players aren't out there, whether it's Chase or anybody.”
Selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Claypool quickly made a name for himself, scoring 11 touchdowns in his rookie season, including a franchise-record four touchdowns in a single game. However, his following season saw a decline, with Claypool managing just two touchdown catches in 2021. Before the trade deadline in 2022, Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears, where he struggled to make a significant impact, catching only one touchdown in eight games for Pittsburgh and just eight of 21 targets while playing for the Bears and Dolphins last year.
Despite these challenges, McDermott expressed optimism about Claypool’s recovery and his contributions on the field. “And I know he's fighting like crazy to get back, and we're anxious to have him back,” McDermott stated. “I think he's come in and done all that we could have asked to this point.”
Buffalo Bills' Roster Shuffle
In another significant move, the Buffalo Bills traded star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. This reshuffling of the roster has heightened the team's need for Claypool to make a speedy recovery and return to the field, where his size and skill set could provide a reliable target for the Bills' offense.
Reflecting on Claypool’s efforts, McDermott noted, “He's been a good teammate, worked hard, been focused, made plays out there and I think that'll continue as we move forward.” The head coach added, “We're happy to have him,” underlining the team’s confidence in Claypool’s potential once he’s back to full health.
At 26 years old, Claypool still has ample time to overcome his current hurdles and make a significant impact in the NFL. His impressive rookie season showed what he’s capable of, and the hope remains that he will return to form once he overcomes his injury woes. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on these former Steelers receivers, anticipating how their journeys will unfold in the coming months.