After opening his 21-day practice window on January 17, the Kansas City Chiefs are activating running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (high-ankle sprain) from injured reserve, according to the team. To make room for him on the active roster, the Chiefs also placed receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) on injured reserve.
We have activated RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire from Reserve/Injured.
We have placed WR Mecole Hardman on Reserve/Injured.
Edwards-Helaire suffered a high-ankle sprain during Kansas City’s 30-27 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve on November 23.
CEH began practicing prior to Kansas City’s AFC Championship victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet, the Chiefs opted to keep CEH sidelined and instead activated tight end Jody Fortson (IR, elbow) in time for the game.
Kansas City doesn’t start practicing ahead of the Super Bowl until Wednesday, February 8. But the AFC West champions are clearly confident enough ahead of practice that CEH is ready to go next Sunday.
Hardman has been battling to return to the game day lineup since being activated from injured reserve on January 4. He returned in time for the AFC Championship, but was re-injured during the game and won’t be ready in time for the Super Bowl.
2023 marks the end of Hardman’s rookie deal in Kansas City, which means we might have already seen the last of him in a Chiefs uniform.
What Will CEH’s Role be in 2023 Super Bowl?
After scoring 3 total touchdowns (2 receiving, 1 rushing) in the Chiefs’ 41-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, Edwards-Helaire’s production dipped over the next couple of games to the point that he was supplanted by rookie Isiah Pacheco as Kansas City’s RB1 in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. From that point until he landed on IR, CEH registered 10 total touches and 28 total yards over 3 games, per Pro Football Reference.
With Pacheco being the clear-cut RB1 and Jerick McKinnon evolving into one of the most explosive receiving threats out of the backfield in the NFL this season, Edwards-Helaire will likely have a very limited role in the running and passing game during the Super Bowl. However, injuries to the receiver and/or running back rooms during the game could increase CEH’s snaps in the passing game.
Twitter Reacts to CEH Being Activated
Twitter users reacted to Clyde Edwards-Helaire being activated and Mecole Hardman being placed on injured reserve.
“What value Clyde has left is as a receiving option out of the backfield,” Nick Roesch of Chiefs Wire wrote. “He doesn’t need to be carrying the ball but could see a couple of targets.”
“I think it’s the right move. He is better than people are giving him credit for. Watch early this year and he was making an impact,” another Twitter user wrote.
@Chiefs I think it’s the right move.
He is better than people are giving him credit for. Watch early this year and he was making an impact.
“@MecoleHardman4 thank you for putting it all on the line and giving it a go in the AFC Championship game. Heal up brother,” another user wrote.
@Chiefs @MecoleHardman4 thank you for putting it all on the line and giving it a go in the AFC Championship game. Heal up brother. 🙏
“If Hardman can be healed and ready to play next season, re-sign him! He caught many passes that I thought were uncatchable,” another user wrote.
@Chiefs If Hardman can be healed and ready to play next season, re-sign him! He caught many passes that I thought were uncatchable.
“Cant wait for Mecole to get a 1 year stay healthy prove it deal,” another user wrote. “Him and Toney on the field at the same time. And Justyn Ross?! Back to back Super Bowls. Book it.”
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Chiefs Activate RB & Place Soon-to-Be Free Agent on IR