Steelers Chase Claypool practice injury status revealed

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool suffered an injury in practice Tuesday, receiving help from players to leave the playing field. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network has reported that the injury is not a significant one, much to the relief of the Steelers organization.

Chase Claypool injured in practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a scary moment unfold near the end of the team’s practice on Tuesday. Second-year wide receiver Chase Claypool went down with a lower body injury that he did not attempt to put weight on while leaving the field. He was helped off the field by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and tight end Eric Ebron to avoid any pressure on his legs.

Steelers tight end Eric Ebron and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger help wide receiver Chase Claypool off the field after an injury late in practice Tuesday at Heinz Field. pic.twitter.com/ECM30J2zuW

— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) August 17, 2021

Head coach Mike Tomlin did not have any information for the media at the close of practice, but NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported afterwards that sources claimed the injury was not significant.

“Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool did not suffer a significant injury in practice today, sources say. Major sigh of relief for Pittsburgh. We’ll see what the resulting diagnosis is but definite relief after how it looked.”

Chase Claypool’s impact

Claypool’s work in preseason has indicated his starting position with the team is now defined. Claypool has played all reps with the first-team throughout preseason. Claypool also has been one of the receivers who practice individual drills with Roethlisberger, doing all of his preseason work with the star quarterback.

After being drafted from Notre Dame with the 49th pick of the NFL draft in 2020, Claypool made an immediate impact in the NFL as a rookie. In his first season, Claypool pulled in 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. His production in the NFL has carried over from his college career. In his senior year with Notre Dame, he tallied 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.

After only starting six games, the Steelers are expecting his impact to increase in his second season with the team. Claypool’s injury being ruled as not serious is a great relief to the Steelers as they anticipate him starting alongside wide receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster. While his status for the team’s third preseason game against the Detroit Lions is now in doubt, the Steelers are hopeful Claypool won’t miss any extended time.

As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming preseason game, the wide receivers near the top of their depth chart are currently struggling with injuries. The Steelers were already awaiting the return of wideouts Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington from injury. Now they will potentially add Claypool to that list.

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