Chip Still on Chase Claypool's Shoulder

Much has been made about running back Khalil Herbert doing boxing as off-season training to help his pass blocking.

Maybe receiver Chase Claypool should have taken up boxing, too. Claypool's feud with the Bears defense continues.

During Wednesday's practice, he exchanged heated words with rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson after the two were engaged in a physical incident along the sidelines. The incomplete pass resulted in an offensive pass interference flag against Claypool.

Claypool later left practice for what was an injury of unknown severity. Claypool remained on the sidelines after coming out of the lineup, and he watched the rest of practice.

Last week Claypool got into a fight with safety Eddie Jackson after a play along the sidelines.

The play with Stevenson didn't neccessarily bother coach Matt Eberflus.

"That's just physical, the guys are just being physical out there," Eberflus said. "That's why we've got pads on. There's nothing wrong with that. You've gotta have some of that, for sure. It's a physical game."

Even the talk isn't necessarily bad, Eberflus said, depending on how it comes about and who it's against.

"Yeah, I just look at when you talk to another opponent, and that certainly happens during the game and that's part of some people's game, and some guys are more focused and more quiet," Eberflus said. "But if that's part of the game, as long as it doesn't lead into penalties or lack of execution.

"So if you can keep your focus and that's how you do it and you don't fight—because that's a penalty—that's part of the game. That's how I look at it."

Smart play is part of the HITS principle Eberflus goes by as the S stands for smart play.

Claypool obviously is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Eberflus sees something else.

"Just him learning the offense, knowing where he's going, playing fast, executing, the trust you saw with Justin Fields, that's real positive," Eberflus said. "He's a really good blocker in the run game, so he's unselfish that way ready to dig things out in the run game. So blocking on the backside, so just all-over improvement, and I think it's getting better."

As for the injury, the Bears normally are not forthcoming with minor things in training camp and Claypool's was such a non-issue that he stayed on the sidelines watching with other receivers the rest of practice.

"We'll see," Eberflus said. "I've gotta talk to the staff and we'll see. We'll see where it goes.”

The Bears have insisted there is no locker room issue regarding Claypool. At least it hasn't hit the level of past incidents like former receiver Brandon Marshall in 2014 or when tight end Martellus Bennett body-slammed Kyle Fuller and later took on the whole Bears secondary at training camp.

"You never want anyone calling each other out by name," Herbert said. "We have a bunch of professionals in this locker room, a bunch of men.

"On the field, it's one thing. But once we get in this locker room, we're family and able to talk things over and figure things out."

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