Nov 8, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs news: Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire missed practice on Thursday due to an illness, potentially putting his availability for Week 11 in jeopardy.
Amid COVID-19 outbreaks across the NFL, with every team launching into ‘intensive protocol’ this week, Kansas City’s star rookie running back wasn’t at practice on Thursday.
With a majority of the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting defense on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Kansas City had to practice without its electrifying running back on Thursday. In addition, backup running back Darrel Williams also was absent from practice.
The illness designation is a bit concerning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even more so since Williams was absent for the same reason. It could easily be precautionary by the Chiefs, but the NFL’s enhanced safety protocols and the pandemic are a reason for concern.
Under the league’s guidelines, any player who tests positive for the coronavirus misses at least a week. However, high-risk close contacts are also forced to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If Edwards-Helaire were to land on the reserve list, with five days required of negative COVID-19 tests for clearance to return, he would miss Week 11.
With the Chiefs set to face the Raiders on Sunday Night Football, Edwards-Helaire’s absence would be a big blow for Kansas City.
Facing the only team that defeated them this season, a loss would put the Chiefs two games back of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Additionally, it would give Las Vegas the tiebreaker over Kansas City and the Raiders would be just one game back in the AFC West.