TheĀ Kansas CityĀ Chiefs will likely be without Clyde Edwards-Helaire for theĀ remainder ofĀ the season, but hope heāllĀ return for playoffs. Ā
The playoffs will only be in oneās favor in the team can remain healthy. For the Kansas City Chiefs, theyāre 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 Ā a high ankle sprain and a strained hip during the teamās 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints Sunday. The news was first reported by ESPNās 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 teamāsĀ leading rusher with 803 yards and four touchdowns off 181 carries. Heās also collected 36 receptions for 287 yards and a score in the passing game.
LeāVeon Bell SZN has officially arrived
With Edwards-Helaire officially out, the attention turns to LeāVeon Bell. The former All-Pro and Steelersā standout signed with the team following his release from the New York Jets earlier this season.
So far, Bellās role has been limited due to the success of the rookie runner. In eight games with the defending world champions, Bell has talliedĀ 224 rushing yards off 56 carries and two touchdowns. As a pass-catcher, heās collected 12 receptions for a total of 90 yards.
Things could be trending in a positive light for Bell as Sundayās 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 donāt press your luck.
Edwards-Helaire will be needed for the playoffs, but three weeks of rest could be whatās needed. As for Bell, heās 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.