Half sack in win

Clayborn recorded three tackles (two solo) and 0.5 sacks in Sunday's win over the Packers.

Analysis: Clayborn plays a rotational role on the defensive line, but he now has 2.5 sacks across the past three games. The run-stuffing defensive end doesn't fill out the stat sheet by any means, as he has just 10 tackles across nine games this season.

Logs sack Sunday

Clayborn recorded two tackles (both solo), including a sack, in Sunday's win over the Bears.

Analysis: Clayborn's sack was his first of the season. He saw the field on 40 percent of New England's defensive snaps. Due to what has mostly been pedestrian production, he hasn't warranted much consideration as an IDP this season. He'll look to maintain his strong play from Sunday into Week 8 when the Patriots head to Buffalo to take on the Bills.

Clayborn (quad) has returned to action in the Patriots' OTAs, Andy Hart of the Patriots' official site reports.

Analysis: Clayborn tweaked his quad during an offseason workout but he appears to be over the issue and hasn't been limited in the team's practice sessions, where he's been operating as a starting defensive end.

Claybord recently tweaked his quad during offseason workouts, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

Analysis: It doesn't sound like Clayborn is dealing with anything serious. While he might miss the third phase of the Patriots' offseason workouts this month, there doesn't seem to be any concern about his availability for the start of training camp in late July.

Clayborn agreed to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract with New England on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Clayborn will be a welcomed addition to a Patriots defense that finished tied for the seventh-most sacks in 2017 with 42. The imposing defensive lineman is coming off a season in which he led the Falcons with 9.5 sacks, surpassing his previous career-best of 7.5 sacks from his rookie campaign. New England hopes that Clayborn can help set the edge in run support as well, with their defense surrendering over 4.6 yards per carry last season.

Clayborn racked up 21 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown over 16 games in 2017.

Analysis: Clayborn smashed his previous career high of 7.5 sacks from his rookie season in 2011 en route to earning Pro Football Focus' eight-highest grade as a pass rusher among 4-3 defensive ends. He arguably had the best IDP performance of the season among all NFL defenders thanks to his Week 10 domination of the Cowboys when Clayborn racked up six sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. However, he wasn't a consistent fantasy option by any means considering he only netted three sacks over…read more

Clayborn (hamstring) is not listed on the Falcons' final injury report heading into Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Clayborn missed Thursday's practice, but has subsequently practiced in limited fashion to close out the week. It looks like the team was exercising caution with its sack specialist. Look for him to resume his usual workload Sunday barring any setbacks.

Clayborn was absent from Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Clayborn presumably suffered the injury in last week's victory over the Saints. He recorded his team-high ninth sack in the contest. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time, as the team could have just been opting to exercise caution by keeping him sidelined Thursday. Thus, his status should continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Clayborn notched his ninth sack of the season in Thursday's win over the Saints.

Analysis: The sack was his lone tackle of the game, and was his first sack since the six-sack explosion against the Cowboys in Week 10. The 29-year-old has only 19 tackles (17 solo) in 13 games this season, and has provided little IDP-value outside of the incredible performance against Dallas.

Clayborn was held to just one solo tackle against the Seahawks on Monday, though he did score a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

Analysis: Clayborn posted a monstrous six sacks against the Cowboys in Week 10, but of course that type of performance isn't explicable. His Week 11 matchup was highlighted by the fumble TD, but the tackle total isn't much of a change from most of his outings, as his only game with more than two tackles was his six-sack game.