KC Chiefs’ Edwards-Helaire comes off PUP list: highlights from team’s 1st full practice
Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s stint on the physically unable to perform list lasted less than 24 hours.
Edwards-Helaire, a surprise PUP listing Tuesday afternoon, showed up Wednesday dressed for work as the Chiefs held their first full-team practice of training camp at Missouri Western State University.
“Clyde was put on PUP to finish his testing,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained. “He practiced today, so we just took him off it.”
As Reid noted, the Chiefs’ players went through a conditioning evaluation Tuesday. While there was concern Tuesday about how much time the third-year rusher might miss, Edwards-Helaire’s presence on the field Thursday alleviated those concerns. He put in a full practice, with no apparent limitations during the 90-minute session.
Edwards-Helaire also resumed his role as the primary running back with the first-team offense.
Fellow running backs Ronald Jones, Jerick McKinnon, Derrick Gore, Isiah Pacheco, Tayon Fleet-Davis and Jerrion Ealy were in their usual backup roles.
PARTICIPATION REPORT
Defensive end Frank Clark wasn’t present at the start of Thursday’s practice but eventually joined the team midway through the session.
Reid explained after practice that Clark was ill and had a test. Clark worked with an athletic trainer off to the side, doing a variety of stretching exercises and short sprints, before joining his defensive teammates on the sideline. Clark was idle during team drills.
Cornerback Rashad Fenton (shoulder), tackle Lucas Niang (knee) and offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (leg) remain on the PUP list and worked an athletic trainer at the rehabilitation tent.
Defensive tackle Cortez Broughton (undisclosed/PUP list) was not present on the field.
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has yet to sign his franchise tender, so his absence isn’t a surprise because he’s not currently under contract.
OBSERVATIONS
- Backup offensive lineman Roderick Johnson worked at left tackle with the first-team offense alongside left guard Joe Thuney, center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Andrew Wylie. Reid, though, pointed out after practice that the team will continue to evaluate the left tackle position with other players, which could include Geron Christian, while Brown remains unsigned. “We’re going to keep rotating them in,” Reid said. “Nothing is solidified there.”
- Rookie cornerback Joshua Williams had a nice pass breakup during team drills, swatting down a throw intended for wide receiver Mecole Hardman. While the play was good, even more noteworthy is where Williams lined up. He was the first cornerback up in nickel packages with the starting defense alongside cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Williams’ emergence comes with Fenton on the PUP list, but Reid downplayed Williams’ role Wednesday: “It’s the first day,” he said. “I want to see more.”
- Linebacker Elijah Lee, who joined the Chiefs on a one-year deal during free agency, worked with the first-team defense alongside linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. in the Chiefs’ 4-3 base scheme.
- Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster made multiple catches during team drills. While the pads weren’t on, he showed chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes throughout the morning.
- During team red-zone drills, safety Justin Reid picked off a pass from Mahomes at the goal line. Mahomes attempted to hit tight end Jordy Fortson, but Reid jumped the route and had daylight in front of him.
- The Chiefs’ first open practice, complete with officials, took place in front of more than 3,000 season ticket members. The first practice open to the general public is Thursday.
This story was originally published July 27, 2022 at 1:44 PM with the headline "KC Chiefs’ Edwards-Helaire comes off PUP list: highlights from team’s 1st full practice."
