KC Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire ‘closer’ on return from IR, but not quite there yet
Any hope that Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will return from injured reserve by game time must wait another week or so.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that the second-year rusher, who landed on injured reserve with an MCL sprain on Oct. 12, isn’t quite ready.
“He’s working hard to get back,” Reid said. “It’s just that whole healing thing that has to take place, but he’s closer than obviously he was. We’ll just see how time handles it here in the next week or two.”
Edwards-Helaire suffered the knee injury in the Chiefs’ Week 5’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs placed him on IR in the days that followed.
He must spend a minimum of three weeks on injured reserve before the Chiefs can designate him as “return to practice” with medical clearance. Once he returns to practice, the Chiefs have a 21-day window to decide whether to activate Edwards-Helaire to their 53-player roster.
Despite missing the past three games, Edwards-Helaire’s 304-yard rushing total continues to lead the team. The Chiefs have relied on fellow backs Darrel Williams, Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon during Edwards-Helaire’s absence.
Williams ranks second on the team with 204 rushing yards. He’s also scored a team-high four rushing touchdowns.
Kansas City plays host to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, then faces the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10 and Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. Week 12 is their off-week this season.
