The Chiefs have placed RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football illness list. That means he'll miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. CEH has said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder related to gun violence in his youth and a particular "self-defense situation" in 2018. That makes this an evolving situation, with no certainty he'll be ready to return after Week 4.
CEH in early August: "Sometimes I’m admitted into the hospital, something like I can’t stop throwing up. Everybody goes through things. Good, bad, just being able to cope with it, just being human. At 25 years old I’m just trying to live the rest of my life healthy."
This situation with CEH likely played into Kansas City's pursuit of RB Samaje Perine.
At this point, it's not worth rostering Edwards-Helaire in redraft leagues. Perine and Carson Steele will have four games to carve out any types of roles in what should be an Isiah Pacheco-dominated backfield.
CEH logged career lows in carries per game (4.7) and receptions per game (1.1) last season.
This particular designation doesn't change Edwards-Helaire's long-term outlook. But he carries no meaningful dynasty value at this point.
Perine looks like the best bet for any worthwhile role alongside Pacheco, with his proven third-down type skill set. HC Andy Reid has talked about those skills in the wake of signing the veteran.
Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride "wonders" if Steele might take a significant share of goal-line work, where the Chiefs have been inconsistent in recent years.
Every mental-health situation is unique. It's easy to think back to WR Calvin Ridley's struggles in 2021, when he appeared in just five games for the Falcons before missing the rest of the season for mental-health issues.
We'll be watching Edwards-Helaire's progress and certainly hoping for the best for him.
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