Charles Clay

Arizona Cardinals
Tight End #85
Arizona Cardinals
Tight End #85

Charles Clay News

Intends to play next season

Clay plans to retake the field in 2021, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Analysis: Clay reportedly had offers last season but chose to sit out due to concerns relating to COVID-19. We last saw him on the field with the Cardinals back in 2019, when he managed 18 catches for 237 yards and one touchdown across 15 games. Now 32 years old, Clay provide valuable depth for a team next season, but a return to fantasy relevance seems unlikely.

Mar 17, 2021 9:36 AM EST


Manages 18 receptions in 2019

Clay (calf) put up 18 catches (on 24 targets) for 237 yards and one touchdown during the 2019 campaign.

Analysis: Despite missing the season finale and ranking second to Maxx Williams among Cardinals tight ends in offensive snap share -- 37.7 versus 46.3 percent -- Clay led the position group in every statistical category but TDs. That honor went to Dan Arnold with two. Considering Arnold showed considerable chemistry with rookie QB Kyler Murray in just three appearances, the front office may feel comfortable moving on from the 30-year-old Clay, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Both Arnold and Williams are under contract next season.

Jan 9, 2020 5:40 PM EST



Sidelined Week 17

Clay (calf) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Rams at L.A., Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Clay didn't get in any practice reps this week, so it's no surprise the Cardinals are erring on the side of caution with his calf injury. In his absence, the team will rely on Maxx Williams and Dan Arnold at tight end.

Dec 29, 2019 12:12 PM EST


Questionable for Week 17

Clay (calf) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Clay was unable to practice in any capacity this week, and with the Cardinals out of playoff contention, there is not a strong reason for him to play. If he ultimately sits out, Dan Arnold and Darrell Daniels are in line to serve larger roles during Arizona's season finale.

Dec 27, 2019 4:09 PM EST


No activity Thursday

Clay (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Clay left after four snaps on offense and his only catch of Sunday's eventual 27-13 win at Seattle. A knee injury was to blame and still hasn't allowed him to get on the practice field this week. He'll have one more chance to do so Friday, but if he's eventually limited or even absent in the season finale versus the Rams in L.A., Dan Arnold and Darrell Daniels would be in line for additional reps behind starting tight end Maxx Williams.

Dec 26, 2019 3:41 PM EST



Limited to begin Week 17

Clay is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a calf issue, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reported that Clay hurt his knee in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Seahawks, but the injury apparently occurred lower on the tight end's leg. In any case, the fact that the Cardinals are at least listing Clay as a limited participant to begin the week bodes well for his chances of gaining clearance for this weekend's season finale versus the Rams.

Dec 25, 2019 10:27 AM EST


Hurts knee Sunday

Clay picked up a knee injury during Sunday's contest at Seattle, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic reports.

Analysis: Clay was hurt while making a 16-yard reception late in the first quarter. Deemed questionable to return, he'll leave behind TE reps for the likes of Maxx Williams, Dan Arnold and Darrell Daniels.

Dec 22, 2019 2:15 PM EST


Snags one pass Week 15

Clay caught one of two targets for 18 yards during Sunday's 38-24 win versus the Browns.

Analysis: Clay's sole connection with Kyler Murray got the Cardinals on the doorstep of the end zone, which Kenyan Drake used to record his second of four touchdowns on the day from one yard out. On the team's next possession, Murray looked Clay's way again but instead threw the ball into the waiting arms of Cleveland linebacker Mack Wilson. For the season, coach Kliff Kingsbury continues to toggle between Clay and Maxx Williams at tight end, with the former getting 397 offensive snaps to the latter's 407 (of 928). The results have been modest, at best, for Clay: 17 receptions (on 23 targets) for 221 yards and one TD.

Dec 16, 2019 5:17 PM EST


Records first TD as Card

Clay recorded a five-yard touchdown catch during Sunday's 23-17 defeat to the Steelers.

Analysis: The end-zone visit was Clay's first of the season, and therefore as a Cardinal. Occurring with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter, it marked the last time the Cardinals held a share of the lead (10-10) in this game. While Clay made an impact in the box score, fellow TE Maxx Williams did not. On the other hand, Williams slightly out-snapped Clay, 32-23 (of 60 on offense). As a result, neither player has much viability in the fantasy realm.

Dec 10, 2019 4:12 PM EST


Targeted twice Week 13

Clay corralled both of his targets for 29 yards during Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: After failing to make a mark in the box score for the first time this season Week 11, Clay emerged from the Cardinals' bye with his third multi-catch performance of the year. He even was on the receiving end of the team's longest play from scrimmage, a 23-yard reception in the first quarter. Because he continues to split TE work with Maxx Williams -- 331 versus 335 (of 807) offensive snaps for the season -- Clay isn't set up to be a consistent contributor to the offense.

Dec 2, 2019 5:49 PM EST


No receptions Sunday

Clay didn't haul in his only target during Sunday's 36-26 loss at San Francisco.

Analysis: For the first time in a Cardinals uniform, Clay didn't make a catch, breaking a 10-game stretch to begin his tenure in the desert. Still, he's not in a position to contribute consistently due to him sharing TE duties with Maxx Williams from week to week. With the team on bye Week 12, Clay's next chance to suit up is Sunday, Dec. 1 against the Rams.

Nov 18, 2019 6:03 PM EST


Makes two receptions Sunday

Clay had two receptions (on two targets) for eight yards during Sunday's 34-33 win against the Falcons.

Analysis: This marks the first time Clay has made more than one catch in a game in a Cardinals uniform, and he's only reached double-digit receiving yards on one occasion in six appearances. Further hurting his standing is fellow tight end Maxx Williams, who has earned eight more offensive snaps on the season, regularly plays special teams and boasts a modest stat line (7-98-1 on seven targets versus 9-58-0 on nine targets for Clay).

Oct 15, 2019 4:04 PM EST


Records one catch Week 5

Clay reeled in his only target for 27 yards during Sunday's 26-23 victory in Cincinnati.

Analysis: The Cardinals were down two wide receivers -- Christian Kirk (ankle) and Damiere Byrd (hamstring) -- in this contest, which forced coach Kliff Kingsbury to go with more 12 personnel than he has all season. The result was a season-high snap share for Clay, who slightly out-snapped fellow tight end Maxx Williams, 44-43. Having said that, neither player has contributed much to the NFL's 19th-ranked pass offense, with Clay himself posting a 5-50-0 line on seven targets through five games.

Oct 7, 2019 2:22 PM EST


Notches another reception

Clay caught one of two passes for three yards during Sunday's 27-10 defeat to the Seahawks.

Analysis: At the quarter mark of the season, Clay and Maxx Williams have logged the exact same number of offensive snaps (71), good for a 24.7 percent share apiece. Williams has been far more efficient with his three targets, though, averaging 19 YPT to Clay's 3.8 (on six targets). Considering the meager workload and lacking output, Clay doesn't hold much sway in fantasy.

Oct 1, 2019 1:34 PM EST


Manages one catch again

Clay hauled in his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 38-20 defeat to the Panthers.

Analysis: Clay has been a glorified blocker in his first three games as a Cardinal, recording exactly one catch in each one and being targeted just four times overall. He continues to increase his offensive snap share -- 16 to 25 to 33 percent so far -- but marks in the box score have been lacking. On a positive note, Maxx Williams' reps have fallen each week, so Clay seems to be the preferred tight end in a high-tempo offense.

Sep 23, 2019 6:00 PM EST


Makes one catch Week 2

Clay caught one of two passes for six yards during Sunday's 23-17 loss in Baltimore.

Analysis: Clay's offensive snap share increased slightly from the season opener to Week 2, going from 16 to 25 percent. The usage hasn't lent itself to production, as he has just three targets through two games. Also hurting his cause is the scheme, which includes four and occasionally receivers on most plays. As a result, Clay likely will be a non-entity in fantasy in 2019.

Sep 16, 2019 2:40 PM EST


Targeted once in tie

Clay caught a single pass for a five-yard gain during Sunday's 27-27 tie with the Lions.

Analysis: Though atop the depth chart, Clay ended Sunday trailing backup Maxx Williams in offensive snaps, 22 to 14. Neither total was particularly impressive, nor were their combined two targets for 20 total yards. One game of the Kliff Kingsbury era is far too small a sample size to judge and the offense certainly hit its stride in the fourth quarter and overtime, but the Cardinals used four-receiver sets at an enormous clip. If that continues, Clay's value would be diluted no matter whether he plays ahead of or behind Williams.

Sep 10, 2019 8:35 PM EST


Makes first appearance with Cards

Clay started and played seven offensive snaps during Saturday's preseason loss at Minnesota. He finished with two catches for four yards.

Analysis: Clay earned one target on both of the Cardinals' first two drives from rookie signal-caller Kyler Murray. Elsewhere in the tight end corps, fellow first-teamer Maxx Williams didn't have a pass come his way during Clay's brief time on the field, while Ricky Seals-Jones wasn't targeted until Clay left the field. After opening training camp on the PUP list due to a knee injury, Clay appears to have locked down the top spot on the TE depth chart, but his snap count could be limited in the regular season to keep the eight-year pro healthy.

Aug 26, 2019 10:43 AM EST


Misses second preseason game

Clay (knee) didn't play in Thursday's preseason loss to Oakland.

Analysis: Activated off the PUP list just five days prior, Clay never had much chance to suit up Thursday, but he could make it back for the third week of the preseason at Minnesota. His position atop the preseason depth chart doesn't guarantee him anything, with Ricky Seals-Jones and Maxx Williams also competing for snaps at tight end. Clay has a long history of knee injuries, and while he's played at least 13 games in each of his eight NFL seasons, he's played all 16 just once (2013).

Aug 16, 2019 7:23 AM EST


Activated off PUP list

The Cardinals activated Clay (knee) off their phyiscally unable to perform list Sunday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Clay had been dealing with a knee injury that has forced him to miss time up until this point, but was finally cleared to practice. The 30-year-old found a new home in Arizona, after he was let go by the Bills after four seasons. Clay is expected to fit right into a starting role at tight end for the team this season, so it's great news that he's back healthy so he can start building a rapport with 2019 first-overall pick Kyler Murray.

Aug 11, 2019 10:31 AM EST


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