Andy Reid explains why Clyde Edwards-Helaire got the call over Elijah Mitchell
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Reid said Chiefs chose Edwards-Helaire over Mitchell due to system familiarity.
- Edwards-Helaire returned from practice squad, logged two snaps and two carries.
- Pacheco sat with knee issue; Mitchell remains on 53-man roster but inactive.
Andy Reid said familiarity with the system was the reason the Chiefs went with Clyde Edwards-Helaire over Elijah Mitchell as a reserve running back in last week’s game at the Buffalo Bills.
Edwards-Helaire had been elevated from the practice squad for the game. Mitchell has been on the 53-man roster the entire season but hasn’t been active for a game.
The addition of a third running back was necessary after Isiah Pacheco was held out because of a knee injury suffered in the previous game. Kareem Hunt started, and rookie Brashard Smith got snaps as well as Edwards-Helaire.
“We really like Elijah, or he wouldn’t be here,” Reid said. “But Clyde knows all the (pass) protections. Not only does he know it, he’s done it. We’ve seen him do it. There was a comfort there.”
Edward-Helaire got two snaps and had two rushing attempts, including a 7-yard gain against the Bills. Those were his first snaps for the Chiefs since 2023, when he completed his fourth year with the club.
Edwards-Helaire was the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick in 2020, No. 32 overall.
He was waived by KC last December but rejoined the Chiefs in late August after finishing last season with the Saints (who let him go late in training camp this past summer).
Mitchell signed with the Chiefs in March after spending his first three years with the San Francisco 49ers.
This story was originally published November 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Andy Reid explains why Clyde Edwards-Helaire got the call over Elijah Mitchell."