Dez Bryant playing the role of Canadian Chase Claypool as Ravens prepare for Steelers

Photo courtesy: Steelers and Ravens

Dez Bryant has assumed the role of Chase Claypool as the Ravens prepare for the AFC North rivalry against the undefeated Steelers.

ESPN ‘s Jamison Hensley reports: Bryant, the Ravens’ most famous practice squad player, continued to wear No. 11 as he fills in for the role of Steelers WR Chase Claypool on the scout team.

Bryant signed with Baltimore on Monday after tearing his Achilles tendon while in New Orleans in November of the 2018 NFL season. He was out of football until the Ravens worked him out and added the former first-team All-Pro.

The six-foot-two, 220-pound receiver is smaller than Pittsburgh’s rookie who stands six-foot-four and weighs 238 pounds. At his Oklahoma State University pro day, Bryant ran a 4.52 hand-timed forty while Claypool posted a blazing 4.42 laser-timed forty at the 2020 NFL combine at a larger size.

During the 2010 NFL draft, Dallas selected Bryant in the first round, 24th overall. Pittsburgh chose Claypool in the second round, 49th overall at the 2020 NFL draft.

The Canadian has 17 receptions for 335 yards (19.7 yards per catch) and four receiving touchdowns plus two rushing touchdowns in five games. As a rookie for the Cowboys, Bryant caught 45 passes for 561 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.

Claypool has already matched Bryant’s first-year touchdown output and he’ll easily surpass his yardage total on pace for over 1,000 receiving yards. The 22-year-old Abbotsford native will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the match-up on Sunday while Bryant watches from the sideline.

The Ravens (5-1) are trying to take top spot in the division away from the Steelers (6-0) by using any means possible. Baltimore is currently 3.5-point favourites at Bodog.