Clyde

Edwards-Helaire

The Chiefs have JuJu Smith-Schuster back for Sunday’s game, but his fantasy upside could be limited with DeAndre Hopkins fully in the mix. The Chiefs will look to build on their undefeated season against rival Buffalo in what is arguably the most anticipated game of the week.

Smith-Schuster has not practiced since Week 7 and should probably have hit IR at this point. Edwards-Helaire is just a healthy scratch again as Kareem Hunt is rolling. Also inactive for the Chiefs are: OT Ethan Driskell, OL C.J. Hanson, DE Cameron Thomas, and DT Marlon Tuipulotu. Tershawn Wharton is playing off a questionable tag. Every non-Smith-Schuster inactive here is a healthy scratch.

Edwards-Helaire has yet to make his season debut as the team has turned to Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele. Smith-Schuster will miss another week with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 7. Recent acquisition DeAndre Hopkins could see his snap and route participation rates grow in his second game with the team, particularly after a long week. Also inactive for the Chiefs are CB Nazeeh Johnson, OL C.J. Hanson, OT Ethan Driskell, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, and DE Mike Danna.

CEH’s practice window was opened last week after he spent the season’s first month and a half on the NFI list while dealing with mental health issues. Kareem Hunt should continue operating as KC’s lead back in Week 7. Hunt had 102 yards and a touchdown on the ground the last time the Chiefs played.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be active this week, it just opens his 21-day practice window. Kansas City’s backfield seems pretty set at the moment with Kareem Hunt as the lead back, Samaje Perine as the third-down back, and Carson Steele as a fullback/backup. Edwards-Helaire would likely only return as a depth piece initially.

Edwards-Helaire was limited in practice all week with an illness but ultimately drew the doubtful tag. Considering only two players played after being listed as doubtful in 2023, it’s safe to consider Edwards-Helaire a long shot to face the Saints. Kareem Hunt led the Kansas city backfield in snaps and opportunities in their Week 4 win, with Edwards-Helaire’s expected absence paving the way for him to do so again in Week 5.

The Chiefs opened CEH’s return window this week and can activate him anytime. He’ll return to a crowded backfield that featured Kareem Hunt in Week 4’s win over the Chargers and is unlikely to have any fantasy upside early in his return. Managers needing help at running back can stash CEH as needed, but he’s more likely to be a roster clogger than a weekly contributor as long as the Chiefs’ top options are healthy.

Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return for the Chiefs’ Week 5 game against the Saints. He enters a crowded, yet starless backfield and can be speculatively added to fantasy benches. Kareem Hunt likely beat out both Carson Steele and Samaje Perine for the lead role last week and it remains unclear as to how Edwards-Helaire will fit into the rotation, though his experience in the system is a positive.

Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list for personal reasons at the start of the season. The Chiefs have since lost Isiah Pacheco for an extended period of time because of a leg injury. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele have been handling the running back touches in his absence, but CEH could turn the backfield into a three-headed monster once he is back on the field Edwards-Helaire is worth a stash in deep leagues, though most fantasy managers can sit this one out.

Tirico explained to viewers that Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return from the non-football injury list in Week 5, before sharing the “encouraging leanings” he received from the team this evening. “Talking to the Chiefs tonight, they think they’ll get Edwards-Helaire back, perhaps for game five of the season, when he’s eligible to return,” Tirico said. Edwards-Helaire is not guaranteed to handle a high-volume role once he returns so stashing him on fantasy benches is not without risk. Still, anyone with access to double-digit touches in the Chiefs’ high-value backfield is worth adding.