Three days before the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, the Kansas City Chiefs designated Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the Non-Football Injury list. So when can he return?
The Kansas City Chiefs had good reason to find another running back last week. After announcing the roster cuts, the team quickly signed former Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos Running Back Samaji Perine. Now we know why they aggressively brought him in as their third down back.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the Non-Football Injury list, most likely as he continues to battle PTSD symptoms, he disclosed in August. In the off-season, CEH was given a new one-year deal, and the plan was for him to back up Isiah Pacheco.
However, he missed significant practice time, and his minutes in the preseason games were minimal. Now, he’ll be out a minimum of four weeks unless he needs more time to battle the PTSD issues that have plagued him for several seasons.
His career in Kansas City hasn’t been fruitful for the team. Even though he had a solid rookie season until he was bent in half in a late-season game against the New Orleans Saints in 2020, he has been plagued by injuries, poor play, and the emergence of Pacheco.
Thankfully, the Chiefs are in good shape at the position. With Perine in the mix and undrafted free agent Carson Steele coming off a strong preseason, Head Coach Andy Reid has the perfect combination of speed, power, and flexibility with his backs.
The Chiefs, to their credit, despite the fact they do not need to pay CEH when he’s on the NFI list, will pay him his full salary and benefits while he attempts to make a comeback on the field.
It can’t be overlooked that despite efforts to reinvigorate the offense with a down-the-field passing game, Kansas City will continue to play smash-mouth football when the opportunity arises.
