25 Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB

Edwards-Helaire and QB Patrick Mahomes both have suggested the Chiefs should throw more passes to running backs this season, ESPN's Adam Teicher reports.

Mahomes also mentioned Jerick McKinnon, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson as pass-catching options out of the backfield, but it's Edwards-Helaire who figures to play the most snaps and run the most routes. The second-year pro reportedly focused on improving his receiving skills this offseason, after catching only 36 of 54 targets (66.7 percent) for 297 yards (5.5 YPT) and one touchdown in his debut campaign. Edwards-Helaire caught 55 passes his senior season at LSU, with his work in that area seemingly playing a big role in the Chiefs' decision to draft him with the 32nd overall pick in 2020. As such, the 22-year-old back still has a shot to earn a three-down role, though Williams and McKinnon would also be reasonable picks to handle obvious passing downs. The team's running backs accounted for 18.2 percent of the total targets last year, the 16th-highest rate in the league. That number was slightly lower in Mahomes' first season as a starter (2018 - 16.9 percent) and slightly higher in his second year (2019 - 19.9 percent).

Edwards-Helaire had nine carries for 64 yards during Kansas City's 31-9 loss to Tampa Bay during Super Bowl LV. He also secured two of three targets for 23 yards.

Edwards-Helaire resurfaced as the clear No. 1 back while Darrel Williams (two carries) and Le'Veon Bell (zero touches) were relegated to backup duties, but with the Chiefs playing from behind almost from start to finish, he wasn't afforded many opportunities. Williams (seven targets) did see more action in the passing game than Edwards-Helaire, but he also had a costly drop in the third quarter on a would-be touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes. All things said, Edwards-Helaire put together a healthy rookie season, with 181 carries for 803 yards (4.4 YPC) and four scores across 13 regular-season games, in addition to 36 catches (54 targets) and one more touchdown. However, his production scarcely lived up to the first-round draft capital that was required to grab him in most fantasy leagues. After apparently breaking out with 161 rushing yards against the Bills in Week 6, Edwards-Helaire failed to break the 50-yard mark on the ground in all but two of his remaining seven contests. There's no question that Edwards-Helaire is talented enough to warrant consideration as a potential breakout candidate in Year 2, and he certainly stands to benefit from Kansas City's offensive line getting healthy, but this could shape up to be a pivotal offseason for the former LSU standout.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was a full practice participant Thursday.

This is the rookie's first full practice since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15. He did return for the AFC Championship Game, but the Bills limited him to seven yards (and a TD) on seven touches and 49 percent snap share. It's possible Edwards-Helaire takes on a larger share of backfield work in the Super Bowl, at which point he'll be another two weeks removed from the initial injury.

The Chiefs listed Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Edwards-Helaire returned from a month-long absence to suit up in last weekend's 38-24 win over the Bills in the AFC Championship Game, taking six carries for seven yards and a touchdown while playing 49 percent of offensive snaps. He should be ready for the Feb. 7 Super Bowl matchup with the Buccaneers, likely splitting work out of the backfield with Darrel Williams. The Chiefs also hope to have Le'Veon Bell (knee) available, though his role isn't likely to be significant behind the top two options on the depth chart.

Edwards-Helaire registered seven yards and one touchdown on six carries while catching one of two targets for zero yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game.

The first-round rookie back hadn't appeared in a game since Week 15, having been beleaguered by a left ankle sprain and a left hip strain suffered during the Chiefs' win over New Orleans. Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant throughout the practice week, however, and he ultimately showed enough to the training staff to earn his first career playoff nod. While Le'Veon Bell (knee) was deemed inactive Sunday, Darrel Williams paced the backfield in carries (13) and rushing yards (52) while registering Kansas City's only other rushing score of the evening. Edwards-Helaire may have more of a role in the Super Bowl, as he'll be afforded two weeks to recuperate further before a Sunday, Feb. 7 matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, the first team in league history to host a Super Bowl at its home stadium, boasts the NFL's most prohibitive rush defense.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is listed as active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee) is inactive, so the availability of Edwards-Helaire -- who hasn't played since Week 15 -- is a welcome one for Kansas City. However, with Darrel Williams also on hand and having run well in last weekend's divisional-round win over the Browns, it remains to be how much action Edwards-Helaire will be in line to see Sunday. How Edwards-Helaire's ankle responded during warmups, as well as game flow figure to be key factors in how that plays out against Buffalo.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is expected to be available for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee) isn't expected to play in the contest. If Edwards-Helaire -- who hasn't played since Week 15 -- indeed gains clearance ahead of the 6:40 p.m. ET kickoff, how much action he'd be in line to see is uncertain, with Schefter noting that the rookie's workload will depend on how he feels in pregame warmups. Should Edwards-Helaire end up sitting out versus Buffalo or handling only a limited role, Darrel Williams would continue to see expanded duties out of the Kansas City backfield.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Buffalo.

Le'Veon Bell (knee) also is listed as questionable, after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant each day this week, making his bid to play in a game for the first time since Week 15. With both Edwards-Helaire and Bell looking truly questionable, Darrel Williams could maintain a key role in the KC backfield, after he took 17 touches for 94 yards in the wild-card win over Cleveland. Bell got only three carries last week, so he could fall out of the picture even if he's healthy enough to play.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, Le'Veon Bell (knee) didn't practice Thursday, which sets the stage for Friday's session to be pivotal with regard to the official status -- heading into Championship weekend -- of two key members of the Kansas City's backfield. At present, Darrel Williams is the team's top healthy running back option. Edwards-Helaire -- who led the Chiefs with 803 rushing yards in 13 regular-season outings -- last saw game action Week 15.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Edwards-Helaire was also a limited participant last Wednesday, before downgrading to no participation Thursday and Friday and then being inactive for the Chiefs' divisional-round win over the Browns. He'll likely follow a different routine this week, as Adam Schefter of ESPN suggested the rookie running back was gearing up to play Sunday against the Bills for the first time since Week 15. Coach Andy Reid mentioned Thursday's practice as being especially important to evaluate the team's injured players.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) returned to practice Wednesday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

He'll likely be listed as a limited participant in practice in what marks his first involvement of any kind since last Wednesday. The rookie running back hasn't played in a game since suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 15, but a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN last weekend suggested Edwards-Helaire was on track to return for the AFC Championship Game if the Chiefs beat Cleveland in the divisional round. Speaking to the media Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid said Thursday's practice will be the most important one for the Chiefs to evaluate their injured players before Sunday's showdown with the Bills.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Browns, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

As reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN earlier Sunday, Edwards-Helaire isn't ready to return from the left ankle sprain and left hip strain that he suffered Week 15. With the rookie first-rounder out of the lineup, Le'Veon Bell is in line to head the Chiefs backfield in their playoff opener. Behind Bell, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson are next up for touches at running back.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edwards-Helaire sat out the final two games of the regular season due to a sprained left ankle and a strained left hip, and even with a bye week, the rookie first-rounder isn't slated to suit up in the Chiefs' playoff opener. With Edwards-Helaire likely on the sideline Sunday, Kansas City will turn to Le'Veon Bell to lead the backfield, with Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson in reserve.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) remains questionable for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Browns, but sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the running back is facing "an uphill battle to play."

After missing the Chiefs' final two regular-season contests while battling a left ankle sprain and a left hip strain, Edwards-Helaire was generally expected to be ready to go for the divisional round following Kansas City's bye in the wild-card round. Though Edwards-Helaire started the week off on a positive note by practicing on a limited basis, he logged no activity Thursday and Friday to take a questionable tag into Sunday. Unless Edwards-Helaire demonstrates some dramatic improvement in pregame warmups, he looks like he could be listed among the Chiefs' inactive players for the contest. If that's the case, the Chiefs would be down to Le'Veon Bell, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson as their available backs.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Browns, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire has now missed back-to-back practices since logging a limited session Wednesday, but Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports that the starting running back's lack of recent activity has been intentional to provide him rest, rather than representative of a setback. Coach Andy Reid hinted that Edwards-Helaire could be a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest. Le'Veon Bell and Darrel Williams will stand to lead the Chiefs' backfield if Edwards-Helaire can't go.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) didn't practice Thursday, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

It's a step backward -- at least on paper -- after the rookie was a limited practice participant Wednesday. It's possible this was the Chiefs' plan all along, but it does throw some doubt on Edwards-Helaire's availability for a playoff game against the Browns on Sunday. He missed the final two weeks of the regular season after suffering a high-ankle sprain Dec. 20.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Per Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com, Edwards-Helaire -- who last played Week 15 -- is progressing well from his high-ankle sprain, and the running back's presence at practice Wednesday bodes well for his chances of suiting up for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Browns. Time will tell if Edwards-Helaire approaches Kansas City's playoff opener with an injury designation, or if he's fully cleared to play in advance of the weekend.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was present for Wednesday's practice, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

After Kansas City clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed in advance of the Chiefs' Week 17 game against the Chargers, Edwards-Helaire was held out of the team's regular-season finale. The running back's presence on the field Wednesday suggest that he's trending toward a return to action Sunday in the Chiefs' postseason opener versus the Browns. The Chiefs will issue their first official practice report of the week later Wednesday, revealing the extent of Edwards-Helaire's participation in the session.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee) is listed as questionable for the contest, but with Kansas City having clinched a first-round playoff bye, depth options Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson should both be in store for a fair share of touches regardless of Bell's status. Edwards-Helaire, meanwhile, will set his sights on being ready to play in time for the Chiefs' postseason opener Jan. 16 or 17.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

The same applies to fellow running back Le'Veon Bell (knee). If both players end up ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers -- which is plausible given that Kansas City (with the AFC's No. 1 seed clinched) plans to rest some key players this weekend -- the next players up in the team's RB pecking order are Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson, with Elijah McGuire a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.