Chiefs activate Edwards-helaire for Super Bowl
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs activated running back Clyde Edwardshelaire from injured reserve Monday and placed receiver Mecole Hardman on the list for the second time as they finalize their roster for the Super Bowl.
Edwards-helaire, a 2020 first-round pick, has been out since sustaining a high ankle sprain during a win over the Chargers on Nov. 20.
Edwards-helaire started the first six games before ceding time to seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco, who has become one of the Chiefs’ breakout stars. Edwards-helaire has run 71 times for 302 yards and three TDS and caught 17 passes for 151 yards and three more scores.
The emergence of Pacheco, along with veteran Jerick Mckinnon, took pressure off the Chiefs to activate Edwardshelaire. Pacheco ran for 830 yards and five TDS during the regular season along with 121 combined rushing yards in playoff wins over Jacksonville and Cincinnati, while Mckinnon scored 10 combined touchdowns in the regular season.
Hardman, who will be a free agent after the season, initially hurt his pelvis Nov. 6 during a game against the Titans.
He finally suited up for the AFC title game, catching two passes for 10 yards. It was while getting tackled on his second reception that Hardman reinjured the pelvis.
Hardman was among three receivers hurt in the game, forcing K.C. to use a patchwork group down the stretch.
Juju Smith-schuster had one catch for 7 yards before inflammation in his knee forced him to the sideline, and Kadarius Toney had one catch for 9 yards before spraining his ankle.
Neither participated in practice last week before the team departed Sunday for Phoenix, though coach Andy Reid expressed optimism that they would be available for the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs also should get back receiver Justin Watson, who was inactive for the AFC title game because of an illness.