Chiefs hopeful for playoff return for Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The Kansas City Chiefs will likely be without Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the remainder of the season, but hope he’ll return for playoffs.  

The playoffs will only be in one’s favor in the team can remain healthy. For the Kansas City Chiefs, they’re a game away from clinching home-field advantage for the AFC picture.

Although two games remain, they likely should be resting Clyde Edwards-Helaire until proven otherwise.

The Chiefs rookie running back suffered  a high ankle sprain and a strained hip during the team’s 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints Sunday. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and later confirmed by team officials.

During the fourth quarter, Edwards-Helaire would leave after a four-yard run and did not return. He is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and the hope is he can return during the postseason.

Drafted 32nd out of LSU, Edwards-Helarie is the team’s leading rusher with 803 yards and four touchdowns off 181 carries. He’s also collected 36 receptions for 287 yards and a score in the passing game.

Le’Veon Bell SZN has officially arrived

With Edwards-Helaire officially out, the attention turns to Le’Veon Bell. The former All-Pro and Steelers’ standout signed with the team following his release from the New York Jets earlier this season.

So far, Bell’s role has been limited due to the success of the rookie runner. In eight games with the defending world champions, Bell has tallied 224 rushing yards off 56 carries and two touchdowns. As a pass-catcher, he’s collected 12 receptions for a total of 90 yards.

Things could be trending in a positive light for Bell as Sunday’s 76 total yard game marked a season-best for either team.

Kansas City will have an important showdown against the Atlanta Falcons at home. The Falcons are well out of the postseason picture, but they could play spoiler to several teams in seeding formation.

Then again, they blew another lead on Sunday to the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so don’t press your luck.

Edwards-Helaire will be needed for the playoffs, but three weeks of rest could be what’s needed. As for Bell, he’s a chance to prove his lead back mentality for the Chiefs or perhaps another team in 2021.

Once again, the rich get richer on the way to the end of the 2020 season.