KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire started training camp on Tuesday on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list alongside with defensive tackle Cortez Broughton.
The club did not immediately identify the reason for either player landing on the PUP list. Head coach Andy Reid meets with the media on Wednesday morning following the team’s first full-squad practice of training camp.
The procedural move means Edwards-Helaire and Broughton may not practice with their teammates until they receive medical clearance. Both players will continue to count toward the 90-player roster limit.
Edwards-Helaire was a full participant during the team’s offensive workouts. He was seeking to enter the 2022 campaign on a healthy note after injuries limited him to 23 regular-season games during his first two NFL seasons. He rushed for 517 yards and four touchdowns in 10 contests last year while catching 19 for 129 yards and two scores.
The third-year running back was expected to enter camp as the incumbent starter. The offseason addition of free-agent Ronald Jones provides the Chiefs another experienced starter with Edwards-Helaire on the sideline. Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon also return from last year’s team, while the club also added Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round of this year’s draft along with undrafted free-agent Tayon Fleet-Davis. Fellow undrafted free-agent Jerrion Ealy also worked with running backs during the offseason program.
The addition of Edwards-Helaire and Broughton brings the total to five Chiefs players placed on the PUP list to start training camp. They join cornerback Rashad Fenton (shoulder), right tackle Lucas Niang (knee) and offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (leg). The club placed wide receiver Justyn Ross (foot) on injured reserve Monday, removing him from the 90-player roster and effectively ending his season with the Chiefs.
Placing a player on the PUP list starting training camp is typical when a player has an injury or condition preventing them from practice. Players who start the training camp on the PUP list can immediately return to practice upon receiving medical clearance. Players must be on the PUP list starting camp if they team wants to retain the option of transferring the player to the regular-season PUP list. Players placed on injured reserve during camp, such as Ross, are ineligible to return from IR during the season.
There is no indication the Chiefs view the Edwards-Helaire injury as a long-term issue. The procedural move, however, is commonplace starting camp and keeps the club’s options open down the road.
