It does steer Depth Charge off course, temporarily. The claws dig right into Depth Charge, causing the Maximal to snarl out in pain, much against his preferences.

"That all you got, fossilface?!" the ray-bot snaps, trying to put more power into flying, forcing them both back up.

His tail flicks over, attempting to smack Dinobot face-down into Depth Charge's back. It doesn't help with balance and weight, but he has to keep him distracted, just long enough.