Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has less than two weeks to make his return from a non-football-related illness that kept him sidelined since Jan. 7.
However, head coach Andy Reid said he wouldn’t make the roster decision until speaking with his player privately. Edwards-Helaire was ruled out for the first four games this season on the Chiefs‘ non-football illness list after detailing battles with PTSD that have been reoccurring since 2018.
The disorder hindered the two-time Super Bowl winner from participating in several team training camps before the year and from being on the sidelines during Week 1’s win over the Baltimore Ravens. The 25-year-old running back was present but limited in action for the team’s practice as they prepared for their matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
After the 26-13 victory, Reid was asked if the running back would return to the active 53-man roster. “Yeah, so he’ll be back in tomorrow. We’ll be able to talk to him then,” said Reid. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him here, so I want to just get with him first before I put anything out there publicly. But we’re awfully glad to have him here.”
- Kansas City Chiefs star hit with heavy fine from NFL on bye week
- Haason Reddick makes emergency off-field decision ahead of New York Jets meeting
Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list on Sept. 2, and the Chiefs opened his 21-day practice window ahead of Week 5. He has until Oct. 23 to be moved to the team’s active roster or face being on a team reserve list for the rest of the season.
With Edwards-Helaire sidelined, the Chiefs have turned to a rotation of Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele to fill the void left by starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who is expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks after undergoing surgery on his fibula on Sept. 18. Pacheco’s earliest projected return would be for the Chiefs Week 8 road matchup against their division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders.
The trio of Hunt, Perine, and Steele combined for 327 yards and two touchdowns, with Hurt getting the bulk of the carries and contributing 171 yards. In two games, Pacheco rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown before his injury.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire could miss the entire NFL season (
Getty)
Edwards-Helaire’s NFL career started with promise after Kansas City selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he showcased his potential by rushing for 803 yards and scoring four touchdowns, quickly showing himself as valuable in the Chiefs offense.
Since his debut, Edwards-Helaire’s production has declined significantly year after year. His rushing attempts, yardage, and scoring output have steadily dropped over the next three seasons despite the overall team success that resulted in back-to-back titles.
In 2021, he rushed for 517 yards, followed by 302 yards in 2022 and 223 yards last season. Injuries and reduced opportunities have contributed to his decreased production, leaving his future with the Chiefs in doubt as they look to utilize all options in their backfield during his and Pacheco’s absence.
Meanwhile, Reid also confirmed that wide receiver Rashee Rice underwent season-ending surgery to repair a damaged posterolateral corner of his knee last week, with his rehab estimated to take as much as in the case of an ACL injury.
Leave a Reply