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August 21, 2021

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Ankle sprain an inauspicious start

Clyde Edwards-Helaire left last night's Kansas City-Arizona exhibition with an ankle injury. Initial quotes from Andy Reid are that it wasn't the dreaded high-ankle type of sprain, so decent chance Edwards-Helaire is fine for Week 1 (three weeks from tomorrow). But that's not certain.

Edwards-Helaire was a disappointment as a rookie. He finished as the No. 22 PPR back, which isn't terrible, but as the starter in one of the league's best offenses, he was drafted earlier than that in most leagues, and had more disappointing games than really good ones. Now it's fair to wonder if he'll be fully healthy at the start of the season.

If he's limited or out entirely, Kansas City could use a committee of players to replace him. Darrel Williams certainly, and either Jerick McKinnon or Darwin Thompson; those were the guys handling it in the first half against Arizona. (Williams also left last night’s game due to a possible concussion.)

There have been some nice things said up about McKinnon this preseason, and Thompson has been around in the offense for a while, but I think Williams is the guy to roster in fantasy leagues. Not a special talent, but the team trusts him, and he's been effective when given a chance.

The last two seasons, Williams has gotten more than 5 total touches (runs and receptions) 10 times. He scored in half of those games, plus a 2-point conversion, and put at least 56 total yards in half of them.

DARREL WILLIAMS WITH OVER 5 TOUCHES, 2019-2020
YearOppAttRunNoRecTotTD
2020Balt.9625471090
2020Clev.1378416940
2020Atl.1046427730
2020Buf.135219611
2019at Det.813343562
2019at LAC113528431
2020Den.63815430
2020at Buf.626115411
2020Hou.72327300
2019Oak.61313161
Average9392.418570.6

We'll see where Edwards-Helaire is and what further reports come out, but if you're drafting this weekend, make Williams a late-round target.

--Andy Richardson

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Darrel Williams

12 Reader Comments:

Ben Hogevoll

Siletz, OR
2021-08-21T16:36:20Z
You can make Williams a late round target.Not me! Williams has been a huge disappointment so far and don't forget he was unselected in the draft.He had two carries last night for two yards.He left the game with a concussion.In 3 years with the Chiefs,he has a total; 353 yards on 93 carries.CEH is still their #1 RB which is also nothing to brag about..KCs running game is kind of like Buffalo's.Horrible RBs make for great passing.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-08-21T16:47:11Z
Yeah I saw the concussion note. I’m not sure Williams or any of these backs would be successful elsewhere, but working with Mahomes helps. Calling him a huge disappointment is a stretch - as you say, he was undrafted, so expectations were never high. Productive, somewhat, when they needed him, including last year’s playoffs (155 total yards and a TD against Cleveland and Buffalo last year counts for something right?). Whatever- I know I like him more than McKinnon or Thompson.

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-08-21T17:08:09Z
If the Saints manage to screwup and drop Tony Jones, Jr...I’m not sure he’s much worse than CEH.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-08-21T17:12:24Z
Saints have a history of dropping and losing a promising youngster in Boston Scott a couple of years back. They were deeper at the time, though.

Drew Paterson

Ferndale, WA
2021-08-21T17:21:09Z
KC's pre-draft scouting people over-rated CEH and they didn't want to pay Damien Williams. This puts more pressure on Mahomes and the passing game. The Chiefs could be primed for a fall this year.

Ian Allan

Seattle, WA
2021-08-21T17:40:08Z
I'm watching this game this morning. Could more of a knock on the ankle than an injury. He wasn't down on the field with an injury. He was out there for a few plays, doing his thing. He left the game with no apparent injury, as if they were just rotating Williams in. The broadcasters made no mention of the injury. If KC had a regular-season game next week, I would think CEH would be playing.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-08-21T17:45:30Z
Schefter reported it as a sprain, so someone connected with the team must have said that to him or another ESPN reporter.

Mark Rapley

Grandview, MO
2021-08-21T18:03:51Z
One huge reason KC lost last year is that they never had a running game. Damien Williams scored 7 TDs for them in the playoffs in 3 playoff games the year they won the SB. Last year, they had no recourse if Mahomes couldn't do his thing and with Williams gone, it'll be very interesting. Mahomes will still do well against most teams but playoff defenses are a different animal. The problem is it's now very Kelce and Hill centric so if an injury happens, that offense could take a step back.

Ben Hogevoll

Siletz, OR
2021-08-21T18:12:30Z
I watched and heard Andy Reid last night when asked about CHE's injury,I Quote(He's got a slight ankle sprain on the inside of his ankle.It doesn't look like a high ankle sprain but he will be checked out in the morning)

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2021-08-21T18:40:03Z
Sprain on the inside of the ankle does complicate things. That means that it’s a deltoid ligament sprain which is frankly much more difficult to injure and heals up well...or it’s a high ankle sprain which is incredibly fickle and can be a 4-6 week injury even if mild. These days they just brace the player and let them play...However that strategy has resulted in players getting other injuries.

Ben Hogevoll

Siletz, OR
2021-08-21T21:28:42Z
Changing the subject a little but staying on the late draft target,I think Ian should replace Alt. C Patterson with Wash. J Patterson and then move him up at least 10 spots.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2021-08-21T22:19:09Z
He looked really good last night. So did Gibson.
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