Tyler Clutts

Tyler Clutts (born November 9, 1984) is a former American football fullback in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Fresno State University.

Tyler Clutts
Clutts with the Chicago Bears
No. 44, 40
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1984-11-09) November 9, 1984
Vallejo, California
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Clovis (CA)
College:Fresno State
Undrafted:2008
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:72
Receptions:11
Receiving yards:57
Receiving average:5.2
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Early years

Clutts attended Clovis High School, where he was a two-way player at quarterback and defensive end. As a senior, he registered 2,383 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and 16 rushing touchdowns. He led the team to an 11–2 record and the Yosemite Division Large School championship. He compiled a total of 2,383 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and 16 rushing touchdowns. He received The Fresno Bee's football player of the year and all-conference defensive end honors.

As a senior, he was the top-ranked wrestler in the state of California at 215 pounds.

College career

Clutts accepted a football scholarship from Fresno State University, with the intention of playing the linebacker position.[1] As a redshirt freshman, he was a backup linebacker and defensive end, appearing in all 12 games. He played mainly on special teams, collecting 19 defensive tackles (4 for loss) and 2 sacks.

As a sophomore, he started all 13 games at defensive end, posting 52 tackles (sixth on the team), 12 tackles for loss (second on the team), 7 sacks (tied for the team lead), 3 passes defensed and blocked an extra point attempt. He had 7 tackles and 2 sacks against the University of Nevada, Reno.

As a junior, he tallied 37 tackles (eighth on the team), 9 tackles for loss, 7 quarterback sacks (led the team), one forced one fumble and one interception. As a senior, he appeared in all 13 games, recording 64 tackles (fourth on the team), 9.5 tackles for loss (led the team), 7.5 sacks (led the team), 2 fumble recoveries and 3 passes defensed.

He finished his college career with 172 tackles (34.5 for loss), 23.5 sacks (tied for third in school history).[2]

Professional career

Edmonton Eskimos

After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, Clutts signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League on May 8.[3] He had 2 starts early in the season ahead of defensive end Brandon Guillory. He played in 18 games (2 starts), posting 22 tackles (2 for loss), 2 passes defensed, 16 special teams tackles, one fumble recovery and 6 kickoff returns for 37 yards. On May, 8, 2009, he was released after the team changed coaching staffs.[4]

Utah Blaze

In 2010, Clutts signed with the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.[3] He was a two-way player at fullback and middle linebacker. He also was the team long snapper.

Sacramento Mountain Lions

In 2010, he signed with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL for a year, where he officially made the switch to fullback from defensive end.[3][5] He became the starter after Jon Abbate announced his retirement.

Cleveland Browns

On December 21, 2010, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad, where he spent the last 2 weeks of the season. On January 5, 2011, he was signed to a future contract.[3] On September 3, he was released after not being able to pass rookie Owen Marecic on the depth chart. On September 4, he was signed to the practice squad.[6]

Chicago Bears

In 2011, during the preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, Clutts attracted interest from Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who felt that Clutts would be a decent addition to the team.[7] On September 7, he was signed by the Bears from the Cleveland Brown's practice squad to a three-year deal.[8] He appeared in 16 games with 8 starts.

When long snapper Patrick Mannelly went down with an injury against the San Diego Chargers, Clutts filled in his role until the arrival of Chris Massey.[9] Clutts was also in the running for the fullback spot on the NFC team for the 2012 Pro Bowl, but did not make it.[10] He contributed to running back Matt Forte's Pro Bowl season.

Houston Texans

On August 31, 2012, Clutts was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for CB Sherrick McManis.[11] He was a reserve fullback behind James Casey and played on special teams. He was released on August 31, 2013.

Miami Dolphins

On September 1, 2013, Clutts was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.[12] He played in 4 games but did not record any statistics. On October 1, he was released after the team experienced a series of injuries on the defensive unit.[13]

Dallas Cowboys

In 2013, the Dallas Cowboys went through most of the season without a true fullback. On December 3, after Lance Dunbar was placed on the injured reserve list, Clutts was signed as a free agent, reuniting with his former Cleveland Browns running back coach Gary Brown.[14]

In 2014, he helped block for DeMarco Murray, who would become the NFL's leading rusher for the season. In the divisional round 21-26 playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers, he scored his first career touchdown on a catch for one yard touchdown in Dallas' loss to the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs Sunday.

In 2015, after Clutts contract expired, the team signed free agent fullbacks Jed Collins and Ray Agnew for salary cap reasons.[15] On May 18, Collins was released after just two months and Clutts was re-signed.[16] With the departure in free agency of Murray, Clutts was used during the preseason for depth purposes as a running back. He made the team and helped block for Darren McFadden who rushed for 1,000 yards. He was not re-signed at the end of the season and was replaced with Keith Smith.

References
  1. "Hill Signs 19 Football Players". Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  2. "Bears sign former Browns fullback Clutts - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. September 7, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  3. "Clutts hoping to find home at fullback for Bears - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. September 8, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  4. "ESKS RELEASE THREE". Edmonton Eskimos. May 8, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  5. "Clutts enjoying life as an NFL player". Chicagobears.com. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  6. "Browns GM wants to add players". Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  7. "What do coaches like about Clutts". Chicagobears.com. September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 25, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  8. "Bears sign FB Clutts". ESPN. September 7, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  9. "FB Clutts hoping he still fits in with Bears". ESPN.
  10. "Nine Bears in Pro Bowl running". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  11. Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2012). "Bears release Josh McCown". ESPN. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  12. "Dolphins cut Rodriguez, add Clutts". Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  13. Nogle, Kevin (October 1, 2013). "Dolphins waive Tyler Clutts, Kelcie McCray". thephinsider.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  14. "Cowboys sign fullback Tyler Clutts". Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  15. "Tyler Clutts has the backs of his Cowboys running backs". Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  16. "Cowboys sign Tyler Clutts, release Jed Collins". Retrieved January 29, 2020.
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