KC Chiefs remain in wait-and-see mode about Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s status vs. Cowboys

A decision on Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium will need to wait at least another day.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that Edwards-Helaire, who remains on injured reserve, “had a good week of practice.” But he stopped short of giving Edwards-Helaire any sort of green light for Sunday.

“I’ll get with (head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) here just to make sure that everything is OK, then we’ll go from there,” Reid said.

Edwards-Helaire sprained an MCL in one of his knees during the Chiefs’ Week 5 game and then went on injured reserve. The second-year pro has missed five straight games, but the Chiefs designated him to return to practice on Nov. 11, opening a 21-day window in which they must eventually decide whether to put him back on their active 53-man roster.

The Chiefs are off next weekend, Week 12 of the NFL’s 17-game season, and could elect to wait another week to fully reinstate Edwards-Helaire — a path Reid that suggested on Wednesday could be in play.

“There’s a chance we go that direction,” Reid said then. “We’re just looking to see how he does this week and then we’ll go from there.”

The Chiefs have until Saturday at 3 p.m. CT to decide if Edwards-Helaire can play in Sunday’s game. Should the team leave him on injured reserve through the weekend, he’d likely be called up after the bye week.

Darrel Williams would continue operating as the Chiefs’ lead running back against the Cowboys in Edwards-Helaire’s absence, with Derrick Gore and Jerick McKinnon as backups.

The Chiefs don’t need to wait on rookie Lucas Niang’s status, though. Reid said Friday that Niang, who is dealing with an injury to his ribs from Week 9, will not play on Sunday, and will thus miss his second straight game. Veteran Andrew Wylie will start at right tackle.

Reid said safety Armani Watts missed Friday’s practice because of an illness. Watts plays mostly on special teams.

The Chiefs later in the afternoon designated Watts and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) as questionable for Sunday’s game. Sneed practiced in a limited capacity Friday for a third straight day.

For the Cowboys, starting wide receiver Amari Cooper landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and has been ruled out against the Chiefs. Dallas listed tackle Tyron Smith (ankle), cornerback Kelvin Josepth (not injury-related, personal) and cornerback Nahshon Wright (hamstring) as questionable for Sunday’s game in KC.