Clyde Edwards-Helaire has rejoined the Kansas City Chiefs, signing on with the team’s practice squad after being released late in the 2024 season. The former first-round pick hasn’t started a game since 2023 and has been dealing with mental health challenges for an extended period.
Public updates over the past year show Edwards-Helaire turning to the Chiefs’ medical and support staff to address his mental health. In September, he was placed on the non-football injury list and missed several games as he continued to work through those issues. By December, he had been released by Kansas City and signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he appeared in two games and totaled 13 carries for 46 yards.
Edwards-Helaire has been open about his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. He described significant health episodes tied to PTSD, including hospitalizations and episodes of dehydration linked to his mental state. He posted about the challenge of living with PTSD and the importance of support from training staff and teammates, emphasizing that he hoped to be back at practice soon.
The 2020 first-rounder’s journey began at LSU, where he and a teammate were involved in a self-defense incident after an 18-year-old was shot during a confrontation with robbers. Police did not identify the players, but the Associated Press noted that Edwards-Helaire was among those named in reports. After his time with the Chiefs, he thanked Chiefs Kingdom for their support upon his release, calling the fan base a family he didn’t realize he needed.
With the Chiefs bringing Edwards-Helaire back on the practice squad, the team adds depth at running back while he continues his recovery and readiness process. His return to the organization signals a continued path toward resilience and potential future opportunities on the active roster should circumstances allow.
Helpful context and commentary:
– This move reflects ongoing NFL attention to players’ mental health and the value of teams maintaining supportive environments that can help athletes manage serious personal challenges while pursuing competitive goals.
– Edwards-Helaire remains a notable example of a high-profile athlete navigating public scrutiny, personal health battles, and a professional comeback.
– If he progresses in practice, there could be a path back to the active roster, offering the Chiefs another tested backfield option as they balance injuries and performance demands.
Summary: Edwards-Helaire’s re-signing with Kansas City on the practice squad marks a continuation of his tentative return from a years-long battle with PTSD and related health issues, highlighting resilience and the team’s willingness to provide a supportive route back to professional football.
Overall takeaway: A hopeful, patient-recovery storyline with a potential on-field payoff for the Chiefs if his health and form align.