When Kansas City Chiefs rookie, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, had to be helped off the field during the fourth quarter of the team’s game in week 15 against the New Orleans Saints, it was hard not to assume the worst.
Edwards-Helaire did not seem able to put any weight on his left leg – a sign that usually translates at the end of a player’s season. But Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the game that his X-rays were negative, and reports the next day noted that the Chiefs were optimistic that he could be back in the playoff divisional round after recovering from a sprain. on the ankle.
For #Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, ankle sprain will probably take longer to heal than hip sprain. The team is hopeful of a return to the playoff depending on their rehabilitation, and the divisional round is about a month away. He has time.
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2020
Reid then explained that Edwards-Helaire was “ahead” last week, and running back coach Deland McCullough was more optimistic about his possible comeback on Thursday.
“Since he was injured, I mean he really attacked that circumstance,” said McCullough. “Seeing him walking around a few days after I say, ‘Dude, what’s going on?’ He just dedicated himself to getting back to the top level. So really, just excited about what it looks like, as he will be ready to come back here in a few weeks and keep moving forward. “
In the Chiefs’ Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Darrel Williams and Le’Veon Bell shared the job, but in this weekend’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, it could be more Williams and Darwin Thompson while Bell took care of an apparent problem on the knee .
The Chiefs will not play another significant game until the weekend of January 16, giving Edwards-Helaire plenty of time. The 21-year-old LSU product had 1,100 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in its first professional season.