The ground can't cause a fumble

[Chiefless]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Not really.

The rule states that if a player falls to the ground and makes no effort to advance the ball the play is dead.

McCluster fell to the ground and made no effort to advance the ball. Play dead.

It's either an incomplete pass or a catch and down by virtue of that rule.

No. it's either an incomplete pass or a fumbled lateral. He did not maintain control through the entire act of catching the ball. if it was thrown backwards, that makes it a live ball. But,giving himself up is not what happened.