Clyde Edwards-Helaire Injury Update
After missing two weeks of practice, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice for the Chiefs. After being limited last week, he had been ruled out of the Steelers game. He’s still questionable for the Wild Card game against the Steelers, but his return to practice means he’ll be ready for a rematch with Buffalo in the playoffs.
clyde edwards helaire hasn’t played since Week 16
The Chiefs are not expected to use Clyde Edwards-Helaire against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. The running back has not practiced since Week 16 and is questionable to return. He has not played since Week 16 due to a shoulder injury. The Chiefs will look to backup Darrel Williams at running back, and Edwards-Helaire is one of those players.
The Steelers are expected to use Darrel Williams at running back in Week 17. The rookie has been a productive fantasy option and has only missed one practice this season. But his availability is still questionable, and he may not play at all. Darrel Williams, meanwhile, has been great in spot duty when Edwards-Helaire has missed practice. Regardless of Edwards-Helaire’s status, Williams has high-end RB2 fantasy value when he is healthy.
The Chiefs have a few options at running back. Jerick McKinnon and Damien Williams have both returned from injuries. Damien Williams has only had one fumble this season, and Williams has missed three games due to a broken toe. However, if Edwards-Helaire is available, the Chiefs have to make a decision.
Rashad Fenton has been out since Week 16. He broke his back during pregame warmups before the Steelers game. He started eight games, but came off the bench in the final two. If he is cleared to return, he could be in the lineup Sunday. The Chiefs’ other running back, Jerick McKinnon, will take over the role of RB1 and would cede it to Edwards-Helaire if he is available.
he sprained his MCL
After suffering a sprained MCL during Sunday’s loss to the Bills, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on injured reserve. His injury was reportedly caused by a nasty tackle. The Chiefs have yet to announce a treatment plan, but fans feared the worst after watching his limp down the field. However, the injury didn’t keep the linebacker out of practice for long.
The Chiefs haven’t practiced without Clyde Edwards-Helaire since the Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Although he has been limited in practice, the running back has three weeks to make his return. The Chiefs are scheduled to play the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Then, they’ll take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, before they’re on a bye in Week 12.
Although he hasn’t played since Week 2, the Chiefs have continued to evaluate Edwards-Helaire, and he received more treatment in the blue medical tent than he did on the field. The running back finished with 13 yards on seven carries and one reception for 11 yards. Before he suffered the injury, Edwards-Helaire had already recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games with the Chiefs. The sprained MCL has forced the Chiefs to replace Edwards-Helaire with Darrel Williams, who has accumulated 472 yards on 58 carries and three touchdowns in five games.
The Bills are fortunate that Clyde Edwards-Helaire avoided the worst possible outcome with his knee injury. The sprained MCL will keep him out for several weeks. The Bills’ defense isn’t rushing to get Edwards-Helaire back to his old self. After the Bills’ loss, Edwards-Helaire is expected to return in a few weeks.
he hasn’t logged over 3 receptions this season
The Chiefs are a team that likes to throw the ball, and Edwards-Helaire has a good chance of earning that role this season. The Chiefs’ passing attack is one of the most lethal in the league, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire should end the season with at least 400 carries and a touchdown or two. But, his production hasn’t been stellar, and he’s still only been in the league for two years.
It is unknown if Clyde Edwards-Helaire will play this week against the Browns. He has been listed as questionable to return due to an injury to his collarbone. But, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, he “should” be able to play this week. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, he’s just “week-to-week.” In his last game, he had nine carries for 27 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs haven’t given Edwards-Helaire many opportunities to prove himself this season, though. The safety was a backup for Derrius Guice in the Superdome, and his role was limited to the fourth quarter. However, he did start in the final game of his college career, and he produced 164 all-purpose yards on 21 touches.
After being drafted by the Chiefs as the No. 32 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Edwards-Helaire has struggled to live up to expectations. His two touchdowns in two games this season are just one example of his lack of production this season. Nevertheless, he’s the only back in Kansas City with any game experience.
he’s a change-of-pace option
Although he is a change-of-pace player, Clyde Edwards-Helaire does not offer great top-end speed. That said, his ability to change direction on a dime and his agility make him a very effective option. His lack of speed and a small frame limit his upside, but it is the other attributes that make him such a valuable change-of-pace option.
The Chiefs added a third-down and change-of-pace option in DeAndre Washington, who could replace Edwards-Helaire. Washington will likely act as a safety outlet on passing downs, but he could also break off some big gains. While Ware is a capable runner and receiver, he was hurt late last season and has a chance to fill in. He is unlikely to compete with Edwards-Helaire for touches.
Cedric Edwards-Helaire is a do-it-all back who excelled under Andy Reid at LSU. Last season, he finished with 55 receptions and 453 yards. His touchdowns were not spectacular, but his 66-yard average and 35 percent breakback rate made him an excellent option for a change-of-pace option.
Despite a lack of rushing attempts, Edwards-Helaire has been a reliable and productive change-of-pace option. While Williams has been the primary back in the Chiefs offense, he has yet to experience a full workload. However, he is the second-best choice behind Edwards-Helaire, and he should be factored in the passing game.
In addition to Le’Veon Bell, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a change-of-tempo option with great balance and agility. With the additional space in the NFL, he is a strong candidate to become one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. Andy Reid’s offensive mind will surely get the most out of Edwards-Helaire.
he hasn’t had 100 yards rushing this season
The question is, what will it take for Ben Roethlisberger to break 100 yards rushing for the first time this season? He has only rushed for more than 100 yards on four previous occasions, and he hasn’t gained more than 60 in any other game. But the question remains: Can the Cardinals stop him from reaching this mark? After all, he has a very high floor and has a history of rushing for a lot of yards, so how much can they really expect?
The Lions have gone four full seasons without a running back gaining 100 yards. That’s 386 different performances since Reggie Bush’s 117-yard effort on Thanksgiving Day 2014. During that span, the Lions’ rushing offense has been the least prolific in the NFL. They’re the only franchise that has failed to eclipse 5,000 yards rushing since 2014. This has gotten to the point where the Lions’ running back is unable to reach the elusive 100-yard mark and has to settle for the “everyday” ground game.
The Ravens have a streak of thirty consecutive games during which they have rushed for 100 yards or more. It is a rare feat to break this streak. No team in NFL history has done so. The Steelers’ streak is second-longest in the league, at six games, but the Browns would need to match the Ravens’ streak through the 2023 season before they would break it. During the streak, the Ravens have rushed for a total of 8,632 yards. That’s a total of 2,071 yards more than any other team. And the common denominator? Running backs.