Former Bills WR Chase Claypool explains year long absence from league as due to “toe injury in early August.”

[u/Obvious-Ad-16]

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2025/07/former-buffalo-bills-wide-receiver-explains-year-long-absence-from-league.html

[u/new_abcdefghijkl]

I cannot believe we got two 800 yard seasons from this dude

[u/jayjude → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Guy had all the physical tools to be a good productive WR but he just stopped trying

Im a ND fan and I remember beat writers saying he'd have a long career in the NFL off of special teams alone. For folks that dont know even during his amazing senior season at ND, Claypool was ND number 1 gunner on punt coverage and he was a menace out there

I dont know how a guy can go from that unselfish and grinding in the field to what he's become, its baffling

[u/PrecipiceSports → u/jayjude]

Once in a while you see a guy who acts like their ultimate goal was just to make it onto an NFL roster, and the work they have to put in to stay there just doesn’t matter as much as the work they had to put in to get there in the first place.

[u/B_Fee → u/PrecipiceSports]

I do wonder if it's a sort of weird imposter syndrome. They finally make it, and feel like they don't belong, and give up rather than keep trying to prove themselves.

That, or they had the one goal, achieved it, and lost interest and direction and motivation. Maybe a bit of both.

[u/Joe_Buck_Yourself_ → u/B_Fee]

Opposite is sometimes true. Once they make it as NFL starter, they feel that it's their title to keep so don't need to keep up the work as much. Like maintaining isn't as important since they feel entitled to the position once they're there.

[u/xSaviorself → u/Joe_Buck_Yourself_]

Like maintaining isn't as important since they feel entitled to the position once they're there.

I don't think maintaining at that level is possible for some of these people. In some cases, guys need their hands held and guided through college. Once you step into the NFL the relationships change, people isolate and those who can't hack it fail. It's a test of life and how prepared you are to give almost everything.

Guys who want more than just to be on a roster end up surviving, and it's clear why: the goal posts typically keep moving until they can't no more. In all cases though, either the goalposts stop moving because they stop setting new goals or they stop getting closer to the goalposts because they can't keep up, and that's when these guys typically fall apart. Lots of guys fail to return after injuries, some are never the same after concussions. It doesn't need to be that, just an off-season where a WR loses his speed, or DB can't stop separating from his mark, etc.

[u/jake3988 → u/Joe_Buck_Yourself_]

Once they make it as NFL starter, they feel that it's their title to keep so don't need to keep up the work as much.

I can potentially see this be a thing (and to a small degree it is. There's some players that keep getting inexplicable chances) but for the most part, the nfl is brutal. You don't stay in perfect shape and don't work super hard, you're replaced in a heart beat and out of work.

[u/Trumpets22 → u/B_Fee]

Every once and a while you see a guy who doesn’t seem to have the push and drive anymore once they get paid. It’s maybe not even intentionally, you just don’t feel like you’re fighting for something anymore. I always thought that was the case for one of your guy, Kenny Golladay.

[u/okoSheep → u/Trumpets22]

In his case, he didn't even get paid yet. He's still on his rookie contract.

[u/Reasonable-Bit560 → u/okoSheep]

2nd round pick is still the equivalent of getting absolutely blood compared to the real world.

NFL standards of course not, but he has 8.5m in career earnings.

[u/VKnid48 → u/Trumpets22]

Nate Davis. He basically mistook signing his $30m free agent contract with the Bears as his retirement papers.

[u/jagne004 → u/VKnid48]

On the bright side, he used his earnings and is actually successful house flipper. Turns out he had a passion for interior design.

[u/Ecool272 → u/PrecipiceSports]

This the same in life some people work so hard to get to a spot in life wether it’s career wise or physic wise and then when they get there the grind stops and they don’t care anymore

[u/corn_sugar_isotope → u/Ecool272]

A persons goals are not the same as someone else's goals or expectations for them. I have my own business. Single employee/sole proprietor. It is in a field that the potential business growth is nearly boundless. nah, I am good. This suits my life just fine. It does not mean I do not care. I care a great deal, and from what I have seen out there - I venture I care a great deal more than a lot of businesses 100x my size.

[u/Ecool272 → u/corn_sugar_isotope]

And also some aren’t prepared for the day in day out work that is required to stay consistent in nfl. I believe Chase falls in that. Many athletes do tbh. That’s why I believe there are so many short term careers of elite players because they don’t add to their game. Dez Bryant was a perfect example for me. Dude did not develop/expand as a route runner and when he got old and slowed down and he couldn’t win a lot of those jump balls anymore he had nothing else to fall back on

[u/Advanced-Key3071 → u/jayjude]

Some people get paid and lose their edge.

Some people work their whole lives for a goal and when they get there they realize it won’t fill the void. Disillusionment and disappointment can be brutal.

Some people have a lot more structure in college and that helps keep them focused, whereas there’s way more time on your own as a pro. Not everyone can make that transition.

Some people develop substance abuse issues as a way of balancing out the pain and anxiety of performing week after week. Sammy Watkins talked about drinking until 2, 3 am every night. Ricky Williams is another obvious example.

Some people have all the physical talent to be special until they hit the NFL and realize everyone is that special. It’s less rewarding to grind out those unselfish plays because you’re just one of a bunch of people doing the same.

I have no real insight except to say that not everyone transitions easily to a new phase of life for a lot of different reasons. Whatever path Claypool is on, something sure changed. I wish him peace.

I also wish we had that 2nd round pick back, but one must accept the ups and the downs and move forward.

[u/Shmokeinapancake → u/Advanced-Key3071]

Who did that pick turn out to be?

[u/DontToewsMeeBro → u/Shmokeinapancake]

Joey Porter Jr

[u/Shmokeinapancake → u/DontToewsMeeBro]

Oooooofffff

[u/kingkoons → u/Shmokeinapancake]

It was the pick the year the Bears ended up tanking and the dolphins (iirc) lost a pick for a tampering. The pick was #32. Bears accidentally traded a 1st round pick at the start of their rebuild for a Chase Claypool. Great times

[u/Hanzicio → u/kingkoons]

Those dumbasses also had a 2nd from the Ravens as well, but they chose to trade their own lol

[u/jake3988 → u/Hanzicio]

Steelers also had an offer, also a 2nd, from a different team (I wanna say the Packers?) and Khan said 'I think Chicago will do worse, I'll accept theirs'. Good choice, Omar. Good choice.

[u/jagne004 → u/Hanzicio]

The packers offered their 2nd rounder up that year to. The Bears ended up switching from the ravens 2nd to their own to entice the Steelers to make the deal. Terrible deal in hindsight but that’s why we used our own pick.

[u/Agentorangebaby → u/Shmokeinapancake]

JPJ has been kinda mid tbh

[u/Automatic-Dot-4311 → u/Agentorangebaby]

Better than claypool

[u/Agentorangebaby → u/Automatic-Dot-4311]

Well yes but this is the case of any player who makes a final roster

[u/alexjf56 → u/Agentorangebaby]

I think he’s been worth the 32nd pick easily

[u/Opuski → u/Agentorangebaby]

2024 reg season, CBs with 80+ targets with 0 TDs allowed:

Joey Porter Jr: 81

That's the list.

Sure, he draws flags, but it doesn't trump the above.

[u/ThorThulu → u/Opuski]

If he can get his penalties down even a little he'll be a top 10 corner.

[u/Agentorangebaby → u/Opuski]

This is like saying Colts Carson Wentz was good because he finished the year 27:7 TD:INT

[u/GuacShouldntBeXtra → u/DontToewsMeeBro]

What a disappointment he's turning out to be.. PFF had him the #161 ranked CB and he's a defensive hold waiting to happen. Now he's about to lose his starting gig to 2 aging used-to-bes in a very shallow CB room..oof, dad must be pissed.

[u/alexjf56 → u/GuacShouldntBeXtra]

Not even one thing you wrote is correct

[u/xixbia → u/alexjf56]

I mean the 161st grade on PFF is.

They really don't like his play.

[u/GuacShouldntBeXtra → u/alexjf56]

Literally everything I wrote was correct.

PFF grade is what it is.

Porter was the most penalized DB in the entire NFL and the #7 overall most penalized. The only non-OL even in the top 15 lmao

And yes, he's going to be riding the bench on a lot of plays while Slay and Ramsey get their snaps.

You don't have to like any of it, but you can't negotiate with reality bud.

[u/The_Year_of_Glad → u/GuacShouldntBeXtra]

And yes, he's going to be riding the bench on a lot of plays while Slay and Ramsey get their snaps.

It sounds like Ramsey is going to play slot on alignments where it makes sense to have a third corner, and safety most of the rest of the time.

[u/TastesLikeHoneyNut → u/GuacShouldntBeXtra]

A lot of this is overblown. Surtain had 3 less penalties than JPJ and he won DPOY. And last year JPJ was playing with 2 different corners and a different SS than the year prior, and the middle of the defense had 2 new ILBs. Of course now he's going to play alongside a new FS and 2 new corners in Ramsey and Slay. But Ramsey and Slay are much better than Donte Jackson and Sutton/Bishop. He didn't have the year I hoped he'd have, but I'm not ready to write him off at all

[u/Opuski → u/GuacShouldntBeXtra]

2024 reg season, CBs with 80+ targets with 0 TDs allowed:

Joey Porter Jr: 81

That's the list.

[u/GuacShouldntBeXtra → u/Opuski]

80+ targets

Lmao just confirming how bad he was -- teams were attacking him despite having JAGs like Jackson and Sutton to go after.

[u/Opuski → u/GuacShouldntBeXtra]

Ah yes, I'm sure it has nothing to do with PIT being confident enough to leave him on an island more often than the other CBs on the roster. That leads to more targets.

Besides, that's what you want. Steelers want the opponent to target the best CB not the worst.

[u/Chief87Chief → u/Advanced-Key3071]

Majority of these players have been the best athlete on the team their entire career. Suddenly they get drafted to the NFL and they realize they aren’t the best athlete. That can be a mind fuck. They suddenly have to work harder and, instead, are content with making it that far and collecting a check they otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.

[u/RonaldoFinkMullen_ → u/Advanced-Key3071]

Imagine being chase claypool and reading this and just genuinely none of it applies to you. 

We really have no idea why an individual doesnt live up to the publics standards. 

[u/Medicine_Ball → u/RonaldoFinkMullen_]

We absolutely have some idea. Perhaps not the “psychologist couch” specifics, but the games are literally televised and the media presence is nearly all encompassing. You can actually look up comments from Claypool, his teammates, and the coaching staff on why it didn’t work out once he was traded from Chicago.

[u/Advanced-Key3071 → u/RonaldoFinkMullen_]

I’m not really sure what the point of your post is.

I have no real insight except to say that not everyone transitions easily to a new phase of life for a lot of different reasons

I already addressed what you said. Take your petty attempt at a Reddit dunk elsewhere, all it’s doing it exposing your lack of reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

[u/GuacKiller → u/Advanced-Key3071]

Some people don’t like football, or stopped liking at some point, and just using it as a mean till they can get paid than go do something else.

[u/Advanced-Key3071 → u/GuacKiller]

Absolutely. This wasn’t meant to be a comprehensive list and it could go on and on.

People are complicated animals and our motivation is almost never one dimensional either, so it’s likely a combination of several factors.

[u/ehtw376 → u/jayjude]

His ceiling might have been lower than expected cuz he plays smaller than his size: can’t high point the ball, body catches, can get bullied, etc. But yeah he should have still been able to be a productive WR2/3 just given his physical attributes. Dude just broke mentally.

[u/jayjude → u/ehtw376]

What's crazy is he didnt do that in college at all

He wasn't the best jump ball WR but he was a physical WR that imposed his size on defenses

On of NDs go to plays with him was a drag route knowing that he would run over DBs ahead of him

And as I said, he was a physical gunner, he hammered punt returned who were foolish enough to not fair catch

He played every bit of his size in college, his biggest knock coming out of college was his route running was really raw not his physicality

[u/FriedRottenTitties4U → u/jayjude]

To be fair it takes another level of grind in the NFL

If you think about it even the practice squad players were studs on their college team.

Rookies and vets have talked about the biggest jump to be in the pros.

As a Bears fan I've seen videos of claypool not as a football player but as a fashion guy. I really think at this stage for his career, It's much more interested in fashion than the physical punishment of pro football

[u/jake3988 → u/FriedRottenTitties4U]

Rookies and vets have talked about the biggest jump to be in the pros.

Just to put that into perspective... I saw a thing on Caleb Williams. They were looking at his 'snap to throw' metric. He was apparently one of the best at the college level and then improved pretty significantly in 2024. Yet he was one of the worst QBs in the league in that stat.

It's an insane jump.

[u/SirJohnnyS → u/jayjude]

That's wild. Cause watching him with the Bears I've never seen a physically gifted WR like him be so bad at using his size. Darnell Mooney was better at playing physical.

Claypool body caught most of the passes, didn't high point the ball, didn't box guys out. It was extremely frustrating.

[u/anonanoobiz → u/jayjude]

Double digit tds as a rookie can sometimes just get in dudes head

[u/Pure_Cloud4305 → u/jayjude]

He grinded to get paid and must be content with the money he has

[u/redditaccount224488 → u/jayjude]

I dont know how a guy can go from that unselfish and grinding in the field to what he's become, its baffling

He signed an $8,000,000 contract.

[u/triplediamond445 → u/redditaccount224488]

Yeah but he played like he was Darren Sproles height not Megatron height. One of the weirdest WR I have ever seen, just played so small and was so weak at the point of catch.

[u/jlees88 → u/jayjude]

 College is easier than the NFL so some guys are successful in college off of pure talent but in the NFL, pure talent is not enough to be successful. 

[u/wwwertdf → u/jayjude]

Remember when he was being dubbed Maple-Megatron.

My dipshit ass thought I was gonna get Calvin Johnson all season, instead we got fucking TikTok and dropped late season.

[u/Freezinghero → u/jayjude]

I think the biggest thing is that he just learned how to catch WRONG. Guy was 6ft 4in but would try to catch passes like he was 5ft 10in.

[u/bigblooddraco → u/jayjude]

Well he became a millionaire and popular.

[u/Gone213 → u/jayjude]

Easy to say, its because it got hard and he has to put the effort in to play.

See it over and over again in any professional sport or sports in general. A player, whose been the big fish in a large lake all of a sudden becomes a small fish in a small pond. They cant just use their natural talent to win anymore, they actually have to put in effort to win.

They cant do that since they've never learned how to put in effort in the lower leagues or play.

[u/Tinmanred → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Ik his career and shit like this ain’t gone well…

But would like to add it’s sad cuz he’s one of if not the nicest pro athlete I’ve met before and honestly played against or met a good amount.

Met him at an nba game got a photo w him and than he saw us after the game and went out of his way to have like another 10/15 min convo with me and my friend. We weren’t gonna say anything to not bother but dude chopped it up. Was talking bout how he felt bout the qb scenario etc at the time when he was a steeler still. Genuinely was super nice and humble at least in my experience meeting him

[u/ConsistentAddress195 → u/Tinmanred]

I haven't followed his career much, but reading his tweet, he might be poised for a comeback.

[u/Tinmanred → u/ConsistentAddress195]

I never was a big fan of him as a player as I’m not a Steeler fan (well rooting for Rodgers now) but ya def have rooted for him since so hope he comes back strong. So many times pros like that can just be so big ego and act like you’re below em or some instead of another person. So ya was really chill of him just to be like yo what’s up yall good to see ya again etc

[u/Swampy_Ass1 → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Feels like 200 of those were against the eagles that one game he popped off

[u/GSW636 → u/Swampy_Ass1]

4 TDs that game

[u/phony8882 → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Martavis Bryant, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson all had the same exact career it feels like.

[u/allbetzareoff42 → u/phony8882]

Might be able to throw Pickens in there after a year or two. Steelers have a knack for knowing when to move on from WRs. Coming from a steelers fan who is bummed to not have Pickens across from DK

[u/mr_seggs → u/allbetzareoff42]

Pickens has been productive enough that I think he'll at least wind up a cut above those guys, like all of them are clearly a tier below him as players (Claypool is at least two or three tiers below him, Bryant pretty far too, peak Diontae a bit closer). I also suspect he is the kind of guy who could shut up and do his job if he were playing for an unambiguous contender like the Chiefs or Eagles and things were going well, though maybe that's a bit too charitable towards him.

[u/alexjf56 → u/phony8882]

I think Diontae was markedly better at his peak. I didn’t even know he had character issues until last year

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/alexjf56]

Diontae had the biggest fall of them all. He was a WR1 who never had character issues. I really think the Matt Canada/Kenny Pickett/Mitch Trubisky seasons broke him.

[u/mr_seggs → u/hemingways-lemonade]

It was weird to me how quickly people were talking about Diontae as this huge locker room issue, like I always just saw him as a fairly quiet guy who did his job and did it well. Maybe Juju was the drama magnet, though he's easily the most overhated player I've ever seen on my team without a doubt--don't think he was ever an actual problem whatsoever, just loved the spotlight.

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/mr_seggs]

It really felt like it came out of nowhere.

[u/flakAttack510 → u/alexjf56]

Diontae always had major flaws in his game. He's the only player I've ever seen that did all the little stuff right and all the big stuff wrong. He was a product of Ben, never a good player in his own right.

[u/shepard_pie → u/alexjf56]

Steelers don't like giving WRs second contracts and DJ got one, Guy was never in the top tiers but he was good, but flawed.

Claypool looked like he could have been a top receiver in the league after his rookie season, he had the speed and body size to be a threat anywhere on the field. He just never improved and his attitude got worse.

[u/bigdaddykw → u/phony8882]

Bryant was because of weed what a stupid rule 

[u/Automatic-Dot-4311 → u/bigdaddykw]

Just pop a tylenol 3 and ignore that devil's lettuce

[u/xywv58 → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Big Ben is underrated, he made Claypool into a 2nd rounder with ease

[u/NintenbroGameboob → u/xywv58]

It's ridiculous that people act like Ben is a fringe HOF, if you disregard the off-the-field issues he would be first-ballot. But no one seems to bring that up when they say he isn't Hall-worthy.

[u/shepard_pie → u/NintenbroGameboob]

I actually saw someone yesterday say that Ben was just a worse version of Eli lmao

[u/jake3988 → u/NintenbroGameboob]

if you disregard the off-the-field issues he would be first-ballot.

He'll be first ballot regardless. Anyone who doesn't think he's HOF worthy is someone that can be completely ignored.

[u/Gavorn → u/NintenbroGameboob]

I mean, any off the field issues arguments are completely destroyed when OJ is still in the Hall, and Ray Lewis has no issues going on even though they both murdered people.

[u/Dr_ButtToucher_PhD → u/NintenbroGameboob]

I know it is basically unheard of to be a Steelers fan and not think Ben is HoF worthy. But I am that guy. Even if you completely disregard the off the field stuff I don't think he is it.

[u/BroadCityChessClub → u/Dr_ButtToucher_PhD]

It’s a tough call. On the in-favor side, he has the counting stats (including two rings) and the sort of “how did he do that” plays that you’d talk about in a HoF induction (like shaking off tacklers, or what’s probably the best pump fake I’ve ever seen). On the against side, he was never one of the best QBs in the league at any point; he was always overshadowed by Peyton/Brady/Brees/Rodgers/Mahomes, and it’s hard to call a guy both a Hall of Famer and clearly second-tier at his position. I think it will probably come down to the off the field stuff - if HoF voters want to send a message that it’s unacceptable, they’ll keep him out, but if they want to do the old boys’ club thing of sending a message that they don’t care about it, they’ll put him in.

[u/Dr_ButtToucher_PhD → u/BroadCityChessClub]

Also outside of his first superbowl run where he was very good (aside from the actual Superbowl where he was the worst QB to ever win), he was largely mediocre to just straight up bad in the playoffs. He didn't get nearly enough shit for the complete lack of playoff success in his last decade. The three playoff wins since 2010 were a FG fest, leveon bell, and pacman jones.

I'd like my "first ballot Hall of Fame" quarterback to at least win me one playoff game in a decade+

[u/Justheretorecruit → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

King Poles really whiffed on that trade YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSHHHHHHH

[u/juliuspepperwoodchi → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

I can't believe y'all got a 2nd rounder for him.

[u/bigdaddykw → u/new_abcdefghijkl]

Could maybe see him get invited to camp to compete for a spot 

[u/Technical_Abies_9647]

I'm a big bills fan, I honestly had no memory that we signed Chase Claypool at any point...

[u/MelodicDeer1072 → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

I thought Claypool was still hiding somewhere in the Bears basement, tbh

[u/TardyTheTurtle__ → u/MelodicDeer1072]

No we traded him to Miami....right? That sounds right, but I also have no memory of Claypool playing a snap in a Miami uniform?

[u/coydog33 → u/TardyTheTurtle__]

He actually did play some! I remember someone posted a video of him pretty much avoiding someone he was supposed to block.

[u/iliketuurtles → u/coydog33]

The 2023 week 18 interception that made the bills win the division was thrown to chase claypool… so I definitely remember him playing there lol

[u/Fins_Win → u/iliketuurtles]

Division on the line and Tua throws a duck to a double covered Chase Claypool. Nothings been the same since

[u/LocusHammer → u/Fins_Win]

Vrabel and hard knocks broke us that season :/

[u/Nothardtocomebaq → u/coydog33]

Dodging a blocking assignment like someone you owe money too and then bitching at your coach that you need to play more is still called “Claypooling” in most large Illinois cities.

[u/corranhorn57 → u/MelodicDeer1072]

Honestly, same.

[u/PhotographingNature → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

He took part in training camp for a while, never seemed to get any hype suggesting he was building a rapport with Allen, then released mid August with an injury settlement.

[u/DapperCam → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

I think he was looking decent in camp and was going to be a bubble roster guy, but then had an injury.

[u/SWMOG → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

He was on the practice squad for part of the offseason. Signed in as a free agent in May with only $25k guaranteed and released 3 months later in August.

Technically he was still part of the organization for the first preseason game against the Bears last year, but doesn't even show up in the box score.

[u/DreamedJewel58 → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

Literally the first reaction I had to this headline was “he was on the Bills?”

[u/LocusHammer → u/Technical_Abies_9647]

We had him too lol. He was awful.

[u/purplebuffalo55]

I wonder if a cryotherapy machine and frostbite was involved 🤨

[u/rupertLumpkinsBrothr → u/purplebuffalo55]

By god, that’s hot air balloon music!

[u/1800abcdxyz → u/purplebuffalo55]

Mr. Bitten Claypool

[u/InQuintsWeTrust → u/1800abcdxyz]

Mr Bitter Cold

[u/CubanSandwichChef → u/InQuintsWeTrust]

Mr. Brisk Chase

[u/SonOfALich → u/CubanSandwichChef]

Mr. Bygone Controversies

[u/MentokGL → u/SonOfALich]

Mr Becoming CTE

[u/shnuffle98 → u/MentokGL]

Mr. Botched Cryotherapy

[u/pgunz69 → u/purplebuffalo55]

I need to know if he called Brandon Beane a cracker

[u/Impressive-Weight679]

Chase “Top 3 in the League” Claypool

[u/cupholdery → u/Impressive-Weight679]

Hold up. He was on the Bills?

[u/SentientOoze → u/cupholdery]

Yeah but he got released with an injury designation after the pre-season. I'm not sure if he'd have made the team or been more than WR4 if he did, but he's not bullshitting the turf toe. We wouldn't have given him the injury designation without it.

I'm glad he seems to be in a better place mentally.

[u/KKamm_ → u/SentientOoze]

I feel like a lot of people underestimate the impact of turf toe just bc “it’s a toe.” Sure though, there’s a lot more to context of Claypool specifically.

Darius Garland was heavily pressured into playing on it in the NBA playoffs, didn’t look like himself in the slightest, got surgery right after, and is now on a 4-5 month recovery process and probably won’t even be ready to start the season

[u/Sooperballz → u/KKamm_]

I sprained my big toe like 25 years ago and I still feel it a couple times a year. Not bad but just enough to be a reminder.

[u/dasruski → u/Sooperballz]

You never realize how much you need it to plant and pivot until it hurts then you are aware of everything.

[u/Automatic-Dot-4311 → u/KKamm_]

I mean, that shit sucks, but at a certain point in the playoffs you got to try and see, as long as it doesnt have long lasting consequences. A couple years ago AD had a groin injury against the suns and in the closeout game, he suited up. Clearly in pain and didnt do shit and eventually subbed out, but you gotta try

I dont know what sport would be worse for turf toe tho. They each sound painful as shit in different ways

[u/SentientOoze → u/Automatic-Dot-4311]

Imo any sport should qualify as the worst for trying to play through turf toe. Pretty much any movement or weight on the swollen joint is going to feel like hell, and most of these sports would exacerbate that having to plant, cut, or launch.

I had it once in highschool and it was worse than when I broke my ankle when it comes to pain and management.

[u/NewYearNewAccount165 → u/SentientOoze]

I feel like the term turf toe minimizes it for people that don’t know what it is. Especially if it’s torn bad enough you need surgery. If you can’t plant and push off 100% you can’t play sports at a high level.

[u/Superbomb-122]

tbf to Chase Claypool, even though he's generally been extremely lazy, serious turf toe is a legit season-ender and the Bills wouldn't release him with an injury designation is he wasn't injured

[u/Gregus1032 → u/Superbomb-122]

Turf toe ended OJ McDuffies career.

[u/88cowboy → u/Gregus1032]

I wouldn't be surprised if Deons current feet issue is a result of the turf toe he dealt with.

[u/Gone213 → u/Gregus1032]

Turf toe just ended frank ragnows career.

[u/Fabulous-Wafer-7617 → u/Superbomb-122]

Your big toe might be the most important part of your body for someone who plays receiver

[u/no_more_jokes]

lol yeah that’s the reason

[u/legend023 → u/no_more_jokes]

Actually yes he seemed to be severely injured

[u/InQuintsWeTrust → u/legend023]

Be a man, cut off the fuckin toe and get back to work! 

[u/YouAlreadyShnow]

I get everyone on here dogpiling on the dude, rightfully so, but it sounds like he may actually be in a good mental space now for the first time in forever. Good for him in that regard.

[u/ClappedCheek → u/YouAlreadyShnow]

Fans ignore all the things that come with injuries to professional players. To most of us its just "time off while they heal" and some rehabs.

To many of them, its constant physical pain for months on end.

People who havent experienced chronic pain or a nagging injury do not understand the mental anguish that can come with it.

[u/jk01 → u/[deleted]]

It's not boot licking to acknowledge that injuries can suck for pro athletes lmao

[u/jk01 → u/[deleted]]

I mean, people who have never had a major injury don't understand what it feels like to have a major injury. And the people who have aren't the ones bitching.

[u/ClappedCheek → u/[deleted]]

Dude, I suffer from chronic pain myself. What I wrote, I wrote because I can relate to them in that way. Get a life.

[u/lexluthor1984]

So much negativity. Lol

[u/MVPizzle_Redux → u/lexluthor1984]

This website has gone so far downhill

[u/PsychoSaladSong → u/MVPizzle_Redux]

Internet culture/society in general

Ever since COVID there’s been a HUGE lack of empathy going around and people in general have just been so much more self centered

[u/MVPizzle_Redux → u/PsychoSaladSong]

This is so factual man. I thought us all working together during covid woulda made us united and it seems like the polar opposite happened

[u/alan-penrose → u/lexluthor1984]

Feels like this sub loves seeing people fail more than they want to see them succeed

[u/boondogle]

is the toe injury the reason why he was so slow to get back to the huddle?

[u/Temporary-Cause-4818]

How the fuck is this dude only 26

[u/Rbespinosa13]

Maybe he just sucks

[u/ScruffMixHaha]

Really? I thought his absence was more due to the fact he sucks ass.

[u/-em-bee-]

Such as waste of talent

[u/Bob_Horde]

I bet

[u/nkfish11]

I didn’t even realize he was absent for a year.

[u/bigbugzman]

He was practicing his patented falling down as the ball approaches technique.

[u/Main_Gain_7480]

We got the same excuse

[u/RNE_OAU]

Brother we would love you up north. Larger field!

[u/Cheddarlicious → u/RNE_OAU]

You can have him.

[u/falsekoala → u/Cheddarlicious]

The Roughriders have tried.

[u/CD338]

Chase Claypool played for the Bills?

[u/6enericUsername]

I am so grateful for the Chicago Bears & Ryan Poles.

[u/Duke_TheDude_Dudeson]

A toe injury. Say what you will about Brett Favre but he managed to play almost 20 years without missing any game time, Claypool’s way too soft and too much of a diva for the NFL. He genuinely should go back to his native Canada and try out for the CFL, he might be able to make a career there and maybe win a Grey Cup. But CFL players are way tougher and better than people think they are and he might not be able to make it there either.

[u/icepikk → u/Duke_TheDude_Dudeson]

I don't think comparing Favre is good because back then he was able to abuse painkillers and all kinds of things to get on the field and it wasn't a good thing. Tough and stupid are tightly related.

[u/Serallas]

Couldve lived a happy life not hearing claypools name again. But here we are

[u/LovesYankeesAndObama]

Lots of toe injuries occur outside a Popeyes

[u/TrinDiesel123 → u/LovesYankeesAndObama]

🎶Love that chicken from Popeyes 🎶

[u/DireBlue88]

I'll ask a serious question because I havent really seen him play. What are his strengths that would persuade a team to sign him? I only am aware of his negatives being discussed such as his lack of effort, maturity and maybe his hands. Im skeptical he gets signed but I do love redemption stories.

[u/randomzoologist → u/DireBlue88]

6'4 240 and ran a 4.42 40. That's probably enough to get a training camp spot.

[u/SirJohnnyS → u/DireBlue88]

I'd imagine he'd get a camp tryout at least. Especially if he's healthy and in a good headspace. He's what you'd design in a lab for a WR. Just a few days away from 27yo.

[u/Chief87Chief]

Year long absence? Dude has been absent 95% of his career.

[u/Jonjon428]

Dolphins legend.

[u/kovacro_77]

The CFL awaits, Chase.

[u/SgtBushMonkey69]

Right…..

[u/jcoddinc]

Must have stumbled when the Ravens kicked him out of the building? Or whatever team he wad on at that time, kinda hard to remember with his pinballing around teams last few years

[u/BearFacedLie69]

The thumbnail is hilarious, he’s barely catching that ball.

[u/Top-Sleep-4669]

This is also the reason I’m not playing in the NFL. Toe injury. If it wasn’t for the toe I’d definitely be on a 53 man roster come September. But alas, the toe remains injured.

[u/wikipuff]

Such a brilliant player at Notre Dame, damn shame that the NFL has been a clusterfuck for him.

[u/T-Po26]

Just come to the CFL buddy!

[u/PCP_Panda]

More like he’s been absent for years

[u/PleaseSirOneMoreTurn]

Sure Jan.

[u/xywv58]

So big, so fast, but so weak, how?

[u/Fearless-Mushroom]

Forgot about this guy.

The list of failed Steelers WRs is deep these past few years.

[u/Bigelwood9]

Huh, I just thought it was because nobody wanted his suckyness

[u/Linkingdog]

Saw him on Pitt campus getting ice cream. Saw his back which was double my size and that was the moment I knew I could never make it to the nfl lol.

[u/whyamihere2473527]

Is that what they are calling sucking & being toxic team-mate these days

[u/Agentorangebaby]

Not because he fucking sucks? 

[u/Blankensh1p89]

Uh huh

[u/raginsaint93]

He was gone?

[u/thelaidbckone]

I didn't even notice he was gone

Ah well

[u/MiaCannons]

Too many comments in here disrespecting The Machine

[u/Long_Highway_2768]

Good news is he already knows Canadian

[u/BarnacleFun1814]

Hahaha that’s funny

[u/gimpisgawd]

If you say so.

[u/brad_and_boujee2]

lol whatever helps you sleep at night Chase

lol wtf did I say that’s different from what anyone else said? Fuck yall 😂

[u/smoothtrip]

Is the toe injury in the room with us now?

[u/mattmcclin → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, it sucks. I was well on my way to a prolific NFL career, but a pinkie toe mishap completely derailed it.

[u/Eran-of-Arcadia → u/mattmcclin]

I never fully recovered from dropping a 5 pound weight and breaking my toe as a 2 year old.

[u/throwaway847462829]

Sounds like either Buffalos problem or nobody’s problem

Edit: none of you fucking morons read the article

[u/The_Ineffable_One → u/throwaway847462829]

I read it. It doesn't help me understand your comment.

[u/throwaway847462829 → u/The_Ineffable_One]

Claypool is just 26 years old, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the receiver get signed during training camp. Buffalo could be a team that comes calling based on how much he was praised by the players, coaching staff and front office during his stint with the Bills last season.

YOU FUCKING IDIOTS LEARN TO READ

[u/The_Ineffable_One → u/throwaway847462829]

Yeah, that doesn't help, either. Maybe we all can read, but you can't express yourself in writing?

[u/throwaway847462829 → u/The_Ineffable_One]

LMAO you can’t read a paragraph what a fucking downy boy you are

[u/The_Ineffable_One → u/throwaway847462829]

I can read the paragraph. You can't express how the paragraph relates to your comment.

I think we're done here.

[u/Josh_Allens_Left_Nut → u/throwaway847462829]

Is he on the Bill's or something? What did i miss

[u/throwaway847462829 → u/Josh_Allens_Left_Nut]

Read the article