Chiefs Predicted to Use New IR Rule in Order to Keep 2 Summer Standouts.
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach might have to get creative on cutdown day.
After entering Organized Team Activities (OTAs) with a perceived lack of depth at running back behind Isiah Pacheco, the Kansas City Chiefs now have several viable candidates at the position with the 53-man roster cutdown just a few days away on August 27.
Left standing are 2024 UDFA Carson Steele, 2023 UDFA Deneric Prince and veteran staff favorite Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The former appears to be locked into a roster spot after another highlight-reel run during the preseason finale, but KC general manager Brett Veach has quite the conundrum after that.
The options? Keep four running backs, cut either Prince or Edwards-Helaire or figure out a creative solution.
KSHB 41 beat reporter Nick Jacobs predicted the latter would occur during his final 53-man roster projection on August 22.
“Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s inconsistent availability could lead to the team keeping four running backs and pulling players from wide receiver or offensive line,” the media member acknowledged before adding that “the team also could place him on injured reserve” as he continues his battle with PTSD. Prince would then become the third running back on the 53 in this scenario.
Jacobs did not suggest this IR designation without some sensitivity. He noted that time away from the game might allow Edwards-Helaire a chance to further embrace a “great support system with the Chiefs staff and his teammates in the locker room while he continues to work through challenges much more important than football.”
