KC Chiefs make it official: Edwards-Helaire ruled out vs. Steelers. Time for Plan B
The Chiefs will not have their starting running back for the first round of the playoffs.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Friday that Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, will not play in Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.
“He tested it out a few days ago and it wasn’t quite as good as what we thought it might be, and he thought it might be, so he’ll be listed as out,” Reid said.
The second-year rusher put in a limited practice Wednesday but could not practice at all on Thursday or Friday. He hurt his collarbone in the Chiefs’ Dec. 26 game against the Steelers and was unable to play in the final two games of the regular season.
This is the second year in a row that an injury will cause Edwards-Helaire to miss the Chiefs’ first playoff game. Last year, he had a high-ankle sprain and didn’t play in the Chiefs’ AFC Divisional Round game against Cleveland but returned in time for the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.
While Edwards-Helaire is out, running back Darrel Williams (toe) and wide receiver Tyreek Hill (heel) should both be ready for action Sunday night. Reid said each practiced on Friday.
Williams, who is officially designated as questionable, will in all likelihood be the starter at running back, with Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon backing him up.
Hill played a limited number of snaps in the Chiefs’ regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos. He practiced fully Wednesday, was limited Thursday before returning to a full practice Friday. The Chiefs did not assign a game designation for Hill, indicating he’s poised to assume a full workload Sunday.
For the Steelers, running back Najee Harris (elbow) is questionable despite putting in a full practice Friday.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 2:52 PM.
