Bears' Chase Claypool inactive after comments about usage

According to Rapoport, "the reason for Claypool's deactivation was a multitude of factors, including how players are asked to operate on a daily basis and how they prepare for games."

After breaking out with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, Chicago acquired Claypool in November for a 2023 second-round draft pick in the hopes of providing a big-play threat for quarterback Justin Fields. 

But the Bears can't have nice things, and the trade has been a disaster for both Chicago and Claypool. 

In 10 total games, Claypool has just 18 receptions for 191 yards and one touchdown that he hauled in Week 2.  That's the only week this season Claypool has caught multiple passes as he posted a goose egg in Week 1 and caught one pass for 15 yards in Week 3.  

In one of two matchups between winless teams on the Week 4 schedule, Rapoport expects veteran Equanimeous St. Brown to take Claypool's place and attempt to create some explosive plays. While St. Brown has never caught more than 21 passes in a single year, he's posted at least 15.4 yards per catch in three of his four seasons. 

The Bears passing game would certainly appreciate a spark, ranking ahead of only Zach Wilson and the Jets in passing yards per game and averaging the sixth-fewest points per game.

As the situation deteriorates in the Windy City, the Steelers look increasingly like the winners of November's trade. They used the pick on Joey Porter Jr., a cornerback from Penn State and son of former Steelers All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter Sr. 

As a rookie, Porter Jr. has been a rotational piece to the Steelers secondary, playing 48 defensive snaps with an appearance in each game. In his limited playing time, he's recorded three tackles as well as a pass defended and allowed two completions the five times quarterbacks have challenged him.