The Kansas City Chiefs have made an expected roster move ahead of Super Bowl LVII.
The team announced on Monday that they had placed WR Mecole Hardman on injured reserve. In a corresponding roster move, the team activated RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire from injured reserve.
This move comes after Hardman aggravated his pelvis injury in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hardman was seeking second opinions on his injury, but as Andy Reid stated last week, it was going to be a stretch for him to be able to play.
Edwards-Helaire returns to the 53-man roster after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
We have activated RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire from Reserve/Injured.
We have placed WR Mecole Hardman on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/guepFZndhI
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 6, 2023
We recently polled Chiefs fans about whether they wanted to see Edwards-Helaire return from injured reserve. Here’s a little information from that post on why this move makes sense for Kansas City:
“While fans haven’t been too thrilled with Edwards-Helaire’s production over the course of his career, one of his best games during the 2021 NFL season came against the Philadelphia Eagles back in Week 4. He had 14 carries for 102 yards and two receptions for 12 yards in the 42-30 win. This is a much different team, but their weaknesses almost work to his strengths. The Eagles allowed 86 receptions for 542 yards and three touchdowns to running backs this season. Playing in just 10 games this season, Edwards-Helaire has 17 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those receiving touchdowns even came on the same field they will be playing on in Super Bowl LVII.”
Don’t expect Edwards-Helaire to take away snaps from Isiah Pacheco or Jerick McKinnon, but rather to serve as valuable depth at the position.
