Chiefs Veteran's Continued Absence Cements Rookie's Roster Spot
By Joe Summers
![Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele (42) flexes after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_46/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F220%2F01j566xmkczrpaa8gm17.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs running back Carson Steele (42) flexes after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Undrafted Chiefs RB Carson Steele has seemingly cemented a roster spot, earning the second reps at the position at Tuesday's practice after a spectacular preseason debut on Saturday.
Veteran back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was held out of practice again with an illness. While his unfortunate health issues are serious and it's relieving that the organization is getting him the help he needs, Edwards-Helaire's continued absences create a greater need for depth at running back with a player like Steele.
The former Ball State and UCLA star worked ahead of Deneric Prince on Tuesday, an even larger signal that he's firmly on the roster at this point.
Chiefs RB Carson Steele Looks Like a Roster Lock
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is out of practice again — and the second back to touch the football is Carson Steele. Deneric Prince next.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) August 13, 2024
Steele has surged in recent weeks, providing a unique skillset that allows Andy Reid to deploy him as a runner, receiver or fullback. He compiled an absurd 3,780 yards from scrimmage along with 30 TDs in three collegiate seasons, so this is a player who can handle a large workload if necessary.
He also stands to help solve the Chiefs' short-yardage issues. Steele trampled over defenders on his one-yard TD score on fourth down, using his strength to find the end zone despite everyone knowing that would be the play call.
Chiefs rookie RB Carson Steele had his most reps with the 1s and 2s today out of all the days at camp. Chiefs giving him a long look after his standout game Saturday. OC Matt Nagy today: "What I like about him is, right now, he's doing a lot of good things and being in the right…
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) August 13, 2024
For Edwards-Helaire, he's still a valuable member of this team. He's the most experienced running back and served a big role down the stretch in 2023 when Isiah Pacheco went down with an injury. If these absences extend into the regular season though, the organization needs to be ready with another back on the roster.
That's what makes this such a big week for Steele. He was Kansas City's best offensive player on Saturday and seems to have carried that effectiveness over into practice.
Barring something unforeseen, I'll be stunned if Steele doesn't make the final 53-man group.
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