KC Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire misses practice but has ‘a chance’ to play vs. Broncos
The Chiefs practiced Tuesday without running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who remains on the mend from a shoulder injury suffered in Week 16.
Edwards-Helaire didn’t play last weekend in Cincinnati, so a missed practice early in the week might be cause for concern.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid, however, said the second-year pro “has a chance” to play Saturday against the Denver Broncos.
“We’ll just keep rehabbing that and making sure he gets better,” Reid said.
Edwards-Helaire’s progress in the next two on-field practices will determine his availability for the regular-season finale, but the Chiefs shouldn’t feel a need to rush him back with the playoffs looming.
Anchored by Darrel Williams against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chiefs totaled 155 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries, averaging a healthy 6.7 yards per attempt.
Williams paced the attack with 88 yards rushing and two scores, adding three catches for 19 yards. Derrick Gore chipped in with 37 yards on three carries.
Whoever is leading the backfield attack against the Broncos will do it with what appears to be a healthy left tackle. Reid said Orlando Brown Jr., who suffered a calf injury during pregame warm-up and didn’t play against the Bengals, “did everything” in Tuesday’s practice.
“He was out there today and going,” Reid said. “We’ll just see as we go through the week.”
The Chiefs later in the afternoon designated Brown, linebacker Anthony Hitchens (knee) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) as limited participants in practice. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (shoulder) practiced fully.
Rookie tackle Lucas Niang, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Bengals, wasn’t on the practice field with teammates and the Chiefs are planning to face the Broncos without him.
“Lucas obviously has a ruptured patellar tendon, so he’s not going to play,” Reid said.
The Broncos didn’t practice, but they issued an estimation report.
Denver quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) would’ve been an limited participant in practice on Tuesday, as would cornerback Ronald Darby (shoulder); tight end Noah Fant (quad); running backs Melvin Gordon III (thumb, hip) and Javonte Williams (knee); and defensive linemen Shelby Harris (ankle) and Shamar Stephen (quad).
Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion), guard Dalton Risner (elbow), cornerback Pat Surtain II (calf) and safety Kareem Jackson (back, shoulder) were estimated to be non-participants, had the team practiced.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 1:52 PM with the headline "KC Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire misses practice but has ‘a chance’ to play vs. Broncos."
