KC Chiefs’ Edwards-Helaire has ‘pretty good chance’ to return this week, Andy Reid says
Last week was “probably a stretch” for Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to return from injured reserve.
This week, though, coach Andy Reid is more optimistic about a potential Edwards-Helaire return for Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Listen, I think he has a better shot this week, a pretty good chance,” Reid said Monday. “We’ll see today when the guys start getting in here and doing their thing.”
Edwards-Helaire officially returned to practice last week, which opened the 21-day window for the Chiefs to decide whether to activate him to the 53-player roster or keep him on injured reserve.
By all accounts, the second-year pro looked good on the practice field despite the time he has missed since spraining an MCL in Week 5.
“Now he’s doing everything he has to do in order to get back and do what he can to help us,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said late last week.
The Chiefs didn’t need Edwards-Helaire in Sunday’s blowout 41-14 victory at the Las Vegas Raiders. Darrel Williams led the Chiefs’ backfield with 104 total yards (101 receiving) and a touchdown. The Chiefs have relied on Williams, Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon in Edwards-Helaire’s absence.
But getting their 2020 first-round pick back in the lineup will only strengthen the Chiefs’ offense. Before being placed on injured reserve, Edwards-Helaire had totaled 365 yards (304 rushing, 61 receiving) and two touchdowns.
“We’re lucky we have a couple of different flavors that we can throw at you, which I think is also important,” Reid said. “Clyde’s a little different, Gore’s a little different, Mac’s a little different. I mean, they all have their different pitches that they’re going to throw at you.”
Edwards-Helaire will have three days of practices, starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday, to prove to Reid and the Chiefs’ coaching staff that he’s ready for Week 12 action at Arrowhead Stadium.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 1:26 PM.
