Chiefs give unexpected injury update on Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been dealing with a stomach issue, and now the Chiefs rookie running back’s status for Sunday night is looking very iffy.

On Thursday, Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire popped up on the practice report as out with an illness. He was held out again on Friday, with the important caveat that he’s dealing with a stomach illness and not anything COVID-19-related.

On Friday, head coach Andy Reid expressed optimism that Edwards-Helaire would be able to go Sunday night against the Denver Broncos.

But Edwards-Helaire has officially been listed as questionable.

Edwards-Helaire has had an up-and-down rookie season. In Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Tyreek Hill took center stage he had 39 total yards on 12 touches. In Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders he had two touchdowns on the ground, but in four of the last five games he has not cleared 50 yards on the ground.

Edwards-Helaire’s absence would test the Chiefs’ RB depth

If Edwards-Helaire is not able to suit up against the Broncos, Le’Veon Bell would theoretically step in as the Chiefs’ No. 1 back. In five games for Kansas City, after being jettisoned (mercifully) by the New York Jets, Bell has 28 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown along with seven catches for 47 yards. He also has yet to play more than 33 percent of the snaps in a game for the Chiefs.

After Bell, Darrel Williams would be next in line for more work if Edwards-Helaire isn’t good to go against Denver. Williams has played in all 11 games this season, with 20 carries for 80 yards, 12 catches for 82 yards and one rushing score. Over the last three games, he has registered zero carries.

Darwin Thompson has played 31 offensive snaps and 104 special teams snaps this season. He has played zero offensive snaps in three straight games, with zero offensive snaps in six of the 10 games he has played.

The Broncos’ run defense enters Week 13 27th in the league (131.3 yards allowed per game). So while Edwards-Helaire hasn’t always been a huge factor in the Chiefs’ offense this year, he would be in line for a solid workload Sunday night. But it may be trending toward Bell and Williams splitting work, with Thompson perhaps sprinkled in for a few snaps.