Discussing the Chiefs' backfield, ESPN's Adam Teicher writes, "one thing is clear: [Clyde] Edwards-Helaire is atop the depth chart." That's been the feeling out of Chiefs camp and in the preseason, with Edwards-Helaire starting both games. But Teicher adds that, "It certainly seems as if [Jerick] McKinnon and [Isaiah] Pacheco can carve out significant roles, McKinnon as a third-down back and Pacheco more generally." Based on preseason usage, it looks like McKinnon will open the season as the primary pass-catching back. That'd obviously hurt Edwards-Helaire's upside -- although he can still pay off his 6th- or 7th-round price tag.
The Chiefs started RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the preseason opener against the Bears. We all expected that. But rookie RB Isiah Pacheco was notably the next guy in. Pacheco got snaps in the red zone on K.C.'s opening offensive possession, including a reception. It's just 1 drive of 1 game (which is still going as of this writing), but it's another signal that we should take Pacheco's rise seriously.
Update: Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke had the 1st-drive snap counts at CEH 7, Pacheco 3, Jerick McKinnon 1. Ronald Jones didn't see the field until 2 possessions after Patrick Mahomes and other starters had left.
Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney did not include RB Ronald Jones in his latest 53-man roster projection for the Chiefs. Sweeney has RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon making the team. He believes Edwards-Helaire and Pacheco are locks, with McKinnon and Jones battling for the 3rd and final spot. "My thought is the Chiefs preferred McKinnon — but in March, signed Jones just in case McKinnon decided go elsewhere," Sweeney writes, adding that Jones could be traded to a team that loses a RB to injury over the next few weeks. This isn't the 1st time we've heard that Jones is in danger of missing Kansas City's final roster: Charles Goldman of Chiefs Wire made the same prediction back in July.
Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney gave this update on the Chiefs backfield through the 1st week of camp: "When it comes to running backs with the Chiefs’ first team, it’s been Clyde Edwards-Helaire taking the first rep almost every series. Jerick McKinnon has usually been the next up with Isiah Pacheco, Ronald Jones and Derrick Gore mixing in from time to time." It sure sounds like CEH is in the driver's seat to open the season as Kansas City's lead back. Jones, on the other hand, might not have a roster spot locked up just yet -- not the 1st time we've said that. 7th-round rookie Pacheco has had a strong start to camp and seems to be climbing the depth chart. We'll be keeping a close eye on this backfield in preseason action.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire was out on the field and doing "everything" in Wednesday's training-camp practice, according to Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney. Edwards-Helaire was placed on the PUP list on Tuesday, but it looks like he's already been removed. Sweeney did notice a compression sleeve on CEH's left leg, so that'll bear monitoring going forward.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on the PUP list on Tuesday. Per Nate Taylor of The Athletic, the injury is “nothing major” and CEH “could” miss just a few days. A lengthy absence would certainly spell good news for new Chief Ronald Jones.
Nate Taylor of The Athletic writes that Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s workload “should increase” in year 3. Taylor notes that training camp will turn up a position battle between CEH, Ronald Jones and Jerick McKinnon. But CEH is clearly the favorite for touches — and a clean bill of health is a big reason why. "This offseason, it was pretty much getting back to the basics, being able to have a full offseason," Edwards-Helaire said. "That was one of the things Coach (Andy) Reid and I talked about. He said, 'This is really your first real offseason in the NFL.' Really, health was the biggest thing.” CEH’s first offseason was largely done virtually due to COVID. Then last offseason, he underwent gallbladder surgery. Only 23, Edwards-Helaire is priced fairly as a fringe RB2.
The Chiefs are re-signing RB Jerick McKinnon to a 1-year deal, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. We'll see what kind of money is involved here, but it's at least noteworthy that Kansas City let McKinnon toil on the open market for about 3 months. McKinnon came up big for the Chiefs in the playoffs, carrying 34 times for 150 yards and catching 14 of 17 targets for 165 yards and a score. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire was limited during that stretch coming off a shoulder injury, though. And McKinnon totaled just 12 carries and 20 targets during the regular season. We'll see how this backfield shakes out this summer between Edwards-Helaire, McKinnon and Ronald Jones.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire revealed on the Arrowhead Addict podcast that he missed a bunch of time last offseason after undergoing gallbladder surgery in early March. "My gall bladder completely stopped working," CEH said. "I was down to about 160 pounds... I didn’t run, didn’t do anything all the way up until [OTAs] and was still dealing with stitches and recovery over the course of the summer.” That can at least be partly to blame for Edwards-Helaire's underwhelming 2021 campaign. This will actually be his 1st full offseason with the Chiefs, and Edwards-Helaire says he's "completely healthy." He added, "This offseason is gonna be perfect for me to do the things I need to do to have the season I feel like I should have." There remains plenty of fantasy appeal here -- largely because of the offense CEH is operating in. And he's cheaper than ever, with a 7th-round ADP in FFPC best-ball drafts.
NFL Network's James Palmer hears that Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is "good to go" for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. "They're not really looking at a snap count ... it's gonna be play it by ear," Palmer adds. It doesn't sound like Edwards-Helaire's shoulder will be a factor, but he might still lose snaps to RB Jerick McKinnon after McKinnon's strong showing in the Wild Card win.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills after getting in just a limited practice on Friday. Meanwhile, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) was a full participant all week and will play against Buffalo. It's unclear exactly what this backfield split will look like after RB Jerick McKinnon's impressive showing in the Wild Card win over the Steelers.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has put in a pair of full practices to open the week leading up to Sunday night's clash with the Bills. That comes after CEH was inactive for the Wild Card round win over the Steelers with his shoulder injury. Darrel Williams, meanwhile, sat out practice both Wednesday and Thursday with the toe injury that limited him to just 8 snaps against Pittsburgh. Jerick McKinnon, of course, emerged as the workhorse for that game. We'll see, though, how touches get distributed now that Edwards-Helaire appears on track for full availability.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That seemingly puts him on track to return for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. It's unclear, though, how touches will be divvied after RB Jerick McKinnon's impressive performance in the Wild Card Round. RB Darrel Williams (toe) did not practice on Wednesday.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is out for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Steelers. It looks like he suffered a setback after putting in a limited practice on Wednesday. CEH's absence again leaves Darrel Williams as Kansas City's lead back. Williams will be playing through a toe injury, so it's possible that we see more of RBs Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon.
After being limited on Wednesday, Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) did not practice on Thursday. It's unclear if he suffered a setback with that shoulder or just got the day off. RB Darrel Williams (toe) remained limited on Thursday. We'll get another update on the Chiefs backfield on Friday afternoon.
Chiefs RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) and Darrel Williams (toe) were limited in Wednesday's practice. That seemingly puts them on track to play vs. the Steelers on Sunday, but we'll get another update on both guys tomorrow.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Monday that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is "making great progress" with his shoulder injury. But Reid stopped short of saying that Edwards-Helaire will be ready for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Steelers. "I think we'll be able to get a little work out of him this week, but we'll see how the next couple days go," Reid said. We'll see what CEH is able to do in practice this week.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) is out for Saturday's game vs. the Broncos. He remained sidelined all week, and his availability for the start of the playoffs is uncertain. Darrel Williams will continue to operate as Kansas City's lead back for however long CEH is out. Williams is a top 10 RB for Week 18.
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