Ex-Ravens WR Mark Clayton is retiring from football.

The 2005 first-rounder declared himself healthy and "ready to play again" in March, but is hanging it up after failing to draw any interest in free agency. Coming off a disappointing rookie season, Clayton caught 67 passes for 939 yards and five touchdowns his second year in the league, but failed to capitalize on his breakout campaign before injuries began to wreak havoc. The former Oklahoma Sooner finishes with 260 grabs for 3,448 yards and 14 touchdowns. He last played in 2011.

Free agent WR Mark Clayton says he's healthy and ready to play again.

"I'm ready," Clayton told the Carroll County Times. "I'm stronger and for sure faster than I was, which is kind of what I hang my hat on is my speed, and I feel fast." Clayton was the Ravens' top pick in 2005 (22nd overall). He suffered a season-ending ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee in 2010 with the Rams, and managed to play just two games in 2011. He'll participate in Oklahoma's Pro Day Wednesday, running routes for and catching passes from former Sooners quarterback and 2013 NFL draft prospect Landry Jones.

Mark Clayton (injured reserve, knee) underwent surgery Tuesday.

The exact nature of the surgery is unknown, but we suspect it was arthroscopic in nature. After tearing his patellar tendon in 2010, Clayton's knee gave him problems when he tried to return midway through this season. A "clean-out" should help, but it's just another medical red flag.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo revealed that Mark Clayton had been struggling with both knees before being placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Clayton was in a lot of pain this week. "He's really been struggling. The knee that he had surgery on has been giving him a hard time," said Spags. "The other knee is starting to; he's starting to feel it, too." Clayton is weighing arthroscopic surgery on one or both knees. It's time to drop him even in deep Dynasty leagues.

Rams placed WR Mark Clayton (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season.

This is likely related to the patellar tendon tear that ended Clayton's 2010 season. He made his first three catches of the season in last week's loss to the Seahawks, but may have suffered a setback. Clayton, who will be a free agent after this season, is going to find a very cold market for his services. The Rams will roll with Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Gibson and Austin Pettis as their top-3 wideouts against the Cardinals Sunday.

Mark Clayton (knee) was limited in Rams practice Wednesday.

It's just a precaution, as Clayton came out of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with some soreness, which is to be expected for someone who was appearing in just his second game of the season. He'll likely be questionable on Friday's injury report, but should be expected to give it a go against Arizona.

Mark Clayton was held without a catch in his 2011 debut Sunday.

Clayton was on the field for only a handful of snaps, drawing just one target. He could eventually become a big part of the Rams' passing attack, but for now he's little more than a speculative flier in deeper leagues.

Rams WR Mark Clayton is active for Week 10 against the Browns.

As are Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson, who were both limited in practice this week but never expected to sit out. Clayton is ticketed for a limited role in his 2011 debut, and with wind gusts expected to reach over 40 miles per hour in Cleveland, he's probably best left on the bench. Rookie Austin Pettis will make his first start in the slot in place of Greg Salas.

Rams WR Mark Clayton is expected to play a limited role in Week 10 against the Browns barring setbacks before Sunday.

It would be Clayton's 2011 debut after a major knee surgery and a recent nagging Achilles' injury cost him the first seven games. He projects as a fourth receiver initially, behind Brandon Lloyd, Austin Pettis, and Brandon Gibson.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Mark Clayton may not be active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Even if Clayton is part of the 46-man roster, his role this week figures to be limited. "We're still talking about a guy who didn't go through training camp, hadn't been in a game in a long time, so we'll have to slowly ease him in," Spagnuolo said. Austin Pettis is a good bet to act as the primary slot man this week.

Rams activated WR Mark Clayton (Achilles, knee) from the PUP list.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas, Clayton will be active against the Browns. Sam Bradford's favorite target before tearing his right patellar tendon in Week 5 last season, Clayton could be in for a big role from the get-go with Danario Alexander (hamstring) ailing and Greg Salas done for the season. Even though Austin Pettis is expected to man the slot in Salas' absence, Clayton is worth an immediate flier in deeper leagues.

All signs point toward the Rams activating Mark Clayton (Achilles, knee) off the PUP list Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Rams have until 4pm ET today to make a decision on Clayton. But with Greg Salas (leg) done for the year, Danario Alexander taking it slow with a hamstring injury and Brandon Gibson nursing a quad ailment, they might not have a choice. Clayton has experience at both the slot and flanker positions, but has never played in Josh McDaniels' offense. The Rams plan on taking one more look at Clayton in practice today.

Mark Clayton (Achilles, knee) is not expected to be activated from the PUP list for this week's game.

If Clayton's Achilles doesn't improve by next week, the Rams may be forced to leave him on the PUP list for the entire season. With Danario Alexander still battling a hamstring injury, Brandon Gibson will likely start opposite Brandon Lloyd against the Cardinals.

Rams WR Mark Clayton is still in a walking boot with a sore Achilles'.

The Rams only have another week to decide whether to activate Clayton from the PUP list, and the setback hasn't helped. He may end up not playing this year. It will depend on whether Clayton can overcome the latest obstacle.

Mark Clayton (PUP, knee) reported soreness in his Achilles' tendon after Wednesday's practice.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo compared this week's practices to training camp for Clayton. The Rams have yet to activate him from the PUP list, so don't expect to see him in action this week regardless of Danario Alexander's (hamstring) availability.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo wouldn't commit to activating Mark Clayton (knee) from the PUP list for Week 8.

The Rams are suddenly deep at receiver as ex-starter Brandon Gibson was a healthy scratch last week. Clayton will likely get at least another week to get in game shape and his role once activated is unclear. He's 29, coming off a patellar tendon tear and the Rams are wisely leaning on Danario Alexander as a starter.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo confirmed Friday that Mark Clayton (knee) won't be activated from the PUP list in time for Week 7.

Clayton was allowed back on the practice field this week, but the Rams have two more weeks to formally activate him. In the meantime, Danario Alexander, Brandon Gibson, Greg Salas, and Lance Kendricks will vie for targets behind Brandon Lloyd. With A.J. Feeley likely at quarterback, it's a situation to avoid.

According to beat writer Jim Thomas, it may take Mark Clayton (PUP, knee) "a couple weeks" to get into football shape.

The Rams haven't activated Clayton from PUP, and it's not yet clear if he'll even play this week. He's behind Danario Alexander in the pecking order until the coaching staff indicates otherwise.

Mark Clayton reiterated that he feels fully recovered from last year's patella tendon tear.

We'd expect Clayton to say nothing less. "I'm fast, explosive, quick, sudden - like all that," insisted Clayton, who says he's attended all of St. Louis' receiver meetings and knows Josh McDaniels' offense. The Rams will have to make a roster move this week in order to activate Clayton to play against the Cowboys. We'd be shocked if Clayton was a full-time player right away.

Rams WR Mark Clayton (knee, PUP) says he "feels great" and expects to play in Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Clayton is eligible to come off the PUP list this week, although the Rams will have to make a roster move to create room. The expectation is that Clayton will play immediately. His role out of the chute is uncertain, though, particularly after Monday's acquisition of Brandon Lloyd. Clayton will have to beat out a more talented Danario Alexander for snaps on the outside.