KC Chiefs’ Edwards-Helaire discusses taunting penalty, big first game back vs. Dallas
The Chiefs had missed Edwards-Helaire’s dynamic playmaking abilities.
In his first game back after five weeks on injured reserve, the second-year pro factored heavily into Kansas City’s game plan during Sunday’s 19-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium.
Edwards-Helaire opened the Chiefs’ first possession of Sunday’s game with three straight touches: two rushes for 14 yards and a 1-yard catch.
More importantly, Edwards-Helaire didn’t show signs of rust in his first game since suffering a sprained MCL in Week 5.
“I felt good,” he said. “As far as being in the game and being in my helmet, I felt good.”
The Chiefs’ running back finished with 76 total yards (63 rushing) — including a 1-yard touchdown run during which he was hit with a questionable taunting penalty. An official didn’t like how Edwards-Helaire pointed at Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford before crossing the goal line.
“I was showing my personality,” Edwards-Helaire said. “That’s what we talk about: being me and playing football.
“That’s just what it is. You get the taunting penalty, it’s 15 yards. Take it with a grain of salt at the time and go to the next play.”
It wasn’t that simple, though, because Edwards-Helaire received an earful from Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on the sideline after that infraction.
“It’s EB,” Edwards-Helaire said “It’s just one of those things of, you’ve got to be a real strong-minded player to play for EB, and a lot of people wouldn’t be able to. I just went to the sideline knowing I was going to hear (from) him.”
The touchdown run helped the Chiefs expand their lead to 16-3, so perhaps the error was quickly forgiven. And ultimately Edwards-Helaire was nothing short of impressive on his return to live game action.
“Good to have No. 25 back,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Clyde played well and just stayed aggressive, covered the ball in traffic, was patient, all the things you need to be to make the thing work.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes agreed.
“He rolled,” Mahomes said of the second-year running back. “That was a good defensive front, a good defense. He was finding little creases here and there to make some stuff happen, and I thought the offensive line did a great job getting him those windows.
The Chiefs’ backfield is at 100% strength for the first time since Week 5, and their offense should continue to make strides with their starter back in the mix alongside Darrel Williams, who totaled 26 yards Sunday.
“We’ll keep incorporating him more and more,” Mahomes said of Edwards-Helaire. “He looked healthy, so it’s good to have him back. Hopefully we can find ways to throw him some passes, too, because he’s pretty good out of the backfield, as well.”
This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 9:33 PM.
