Surprise Chiefs Signing Spells Disappointing End for Clyde Edwards-Helaire in KC
By Joe Summers
Kareem Hunt is a Kansas City Chief once again and the reunion could have far-reaching implications for the roster. Isiah Pacheco is expected to be out for up to two months, though Clyde Edwards-Helaire's situation is suddenly one to monitor as well.
The former first-round back is on the reserve/non-football injury list with concerning PTSD symptoms. It's unclear when he's expected to return. However, the Chiefs' desire to add someone like Hunt indicates the organization doesn't expect him back soon.
If Edwards-Helaire was only going to miss a couple of more games, there'd be no need to bring Hunt in. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine could hold the backfield down for two weeks, yet it seems Kansas City expects Edwards-Helaire's absence to extend beyond that.
Kareem Hunt Signing Raises Questions About Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Amazed that Chiefs Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire opened up today regarding his PTSD pic.twitter.com/TRbe1oOtVc
— Robert Rimpson+ (@Rimpsanity) August 1, 2024
Edwards-Helaire has done a fantastic job of transforming himself from what some considered to be a first-round bust into a valuable, experienced veteran who, by all accounts, is a tremendous teammate.
He's a respected, treasured member of the locker room. Even still, the writing could be on the wall for his end in Kansas City. Edwards-Helaire is only on a one-year deal and the Chiefs' backfield is suddenly quite crowded. Pacheco isn't going anywhere, Carson Steele looks like he'll stick, and Samaje Perine and Hunt both just arrived.
Unless Kansas City intends to demote one of Steele, Perine, or Hunt once Pacheco comes back, it looks like Edwards-Helaire could be out for a significant period of time. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially after he played well down the stretch en route to a second straight Super Bowl last season.
Chiefs Kingdom hopes he gets back as quickly as possible but more importantly, that he gets the support and treatment he needs while he battles these health issues. We'll see what happens moving forward, though it would be a surprise to see him on the field again soon.
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