Buffalo Bills: Charles Clay focused on becoming more healthy and effective

Armed with a new approach which includes a healthier diet, Charles Clay is aiming to spend less time dealing with injuries and more time being an effective weapon for the Buffalo Bills.

When you mention Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay, one of the first thoughts that will come to mind is ‘good hands’, or perhaps ‘athletic’. However, you are just as likely to think ‘injury prone’ or ‘inconsistent’.

There is no denying Clay has talent. However, his ongoing knee issues have continued to compromise his productivity. Yes, he’s never missed more than three games in a season, but he gets an awful lot of rest days during the week.

In fact, while the 29-year-old needs the rest to help his knee, it also means he is missing valuable practice time. Which in turn impacts his ability to exert his influence on games.

Now admittedly, this may sound a bit crazy, given the impact Clay has had during his previous five seasons; two with the Miami Dolphins and three with the Bills. In that time, he has averaged 57 receptions and 600 yards per year. (During his first two years in the NFL, he split his time between playing tight end and fullback.)

However, while these are productive stats for a tight end, they could…no…should be better. And this is where the lingering knee problem comes into play.

More from Buffalo Bills

• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller the ideal addition both on and off the field
• Buffalo Bills: Majority of new stadium funding will come from public
• Buffalo Bills vs. Patriots: Odds, Spread, Over/Under & Betting Pick
• Buffalo Bills run game providing much-needed boost to offense

As a result, Clay has decided it’s time to take a different approach, in order to further maximize his ability. This has led to him experimenting with new diets.

As reported by Nick Veronica of The Buffalo News, Clay started trying out new diets during last season. He began the process in mid-October, when he missed playing time after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee, due to a torn meniscus and sprained MCL.

This has led to the Little Rock, Arkansas feeling better than ever, as he prepares for the 2018 campaign with the Bills. As reported by Veronica, he said he has been following a diet loaded with plant-based foods and devoid of sugar.

Clay has received a lot of help, courtesy of the Bills’ team nutritionist. His meals include chicken and fish, but little, if any, red meat.

Of course, there are no guarantees this new approach will work, but it certainly can’t hurt. As per Veronica, the 2011 sixth round draft pick said his aim is to keep as much inflammation out of his body as possible.

Clay admits what he is eating has led to him feeling ‘awesome’. Now, Buffalo Bills fans wait to see how this helps with his productivity on the field.

Next: Shaq Lawson still has a lot to prove

How hopeful are you that Clay’s new diet will help with his health moving forward? What kind of productivity do you predict he will have with the Buffalo Bills in 2018? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.