KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clyde Edwards-Helaire gave himself a late Christmas present, opening the scoring Dec. 26 in a 36-10 rout against Pittsburgh with a 1-yard touchdown run.
But the Grinch arrived early in the third quarter when he landed awkwardly and left the game with a collarbone injury.
Edwards-Helaire missed the last two games of the regular season, but his return to practice Wednesday — albeit in a limited capacity — provided hope he might be available for a rematch with the Steelers on Sunday in the AFC Wild Card playoffs on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
RELATED | Chiefs know rematch with Steelers in playoffs won’t be as easy
That hope dimmed Thursday when Edwards-Helaire was the only Chiefs player not available for practice, but he also hasn't been ruled out.
Williams was limited Thursday at practice for the second straight day, but Jerick McKinnon has played well since returning from injured reserve and Derrick Gore has racked up 256 yards and a robust 5.0-yard average per carry in spot duty.
"My comfort level is where it always is — the next man is up," Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. "Clyde is going to do everything he can to be out there this weekend. ... (But) when given an opportunity, those guys have proven that they can rise to the challenge.
"So, I expect our guys — regardless of who is out there playing — to go out there and play hard and play fast, but on top of that, to give us something productive to help us to secure a victory.”
Coach Andy Reid said Monday that he expects backup running back Darrel Williams, who exited a Week 18 game at Denver with a toe injury, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was limited in the 28-24 comeback win against the Broncos with a heel injury, to be available for the postseason opener.
Both seemingly remain on track to play against Pittsburgh, though Williams was limited Wednesday at practice.
