Who Should I Start? Jerick McKinnon or Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Wednesday, January 10, 12:32 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (hernia, pelvis) was on crutches on Tuesday in his first day back at the team's facility following sports-hernia surgery on Jan. 2, which was performed by Dr. Williams Meyers. In addition to a sports hernia, McKinnon fractured his pelvis. It all means that McKinnon is doubtful to return for the postseason, even if the Chiefs make another run to the Super Bowl this year. The 31-year-old is eligible for free agency in March but has expressed interest in returning to Kansas City. McKinnon missed the final three games of the regular season and finished 2023 with just 21 carries for 60 yards and one touchdown while adding 25 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns through the air in 12 games played. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have a bigger role as the No. 2 in KC's backfield behind Isiah Pacheco now that McKinnon is out.

Wednesday, August 27, 3:31 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs signed running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Carson Steele to their practice squad on Wednesday, sources tell Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest. Edwards-Helaire was released by the New Orleans Saints on roster cutdown day on Tuesday, but he will quickly land on his feet with the team that selected him 32nd overall in 2020 out of LSU. The 26-year-old ran for 803 yards and four touchdowns on 181 carries in his first year in the NFL, but he never came close to matching those numbers over the next four years before KC cut him last season. While CEH probably should be considered a long shot to find a significant backfield role with the Chiefs again, he does bring experience and knowledge of head coach Andy Reid's offense with him. Steele will return after carrying the ball 56 times for 183 yards and no TDs in 17 games in his rookie season in 2024.