Former first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire is set to join the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The move brings Edwards-Helaire back to a familiar place, with the 25-year-old having played three seasons at LSU.
The running back led the Chiefs in rushing yards his rookie year after being selected with the 32nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, bursting onto the scene with 803 yards and four touchdowns.
Edwards-Helaire struggled to match that statistical production afterward, however, rushing for fewer yards in each subsequent season. After starting 13 games as a rookie, he started 10 in 2021, six in ‘22 and three in ‘23.
He had managed to remain productive, averaging at least 4.3 yards per carry every year until his average dipped in ‘23 (3.2).
Edwards-Helaire had yet to see the field in 2024, getting buried on the depth chart behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele.
Over the summer, Edwards-Helaire revealed that he has experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for over 5 1/2 years. He acknowledged experiencing flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety.
“Sometimes I’m admitted into the hospital, something like I can’t stop throwing up and it’s just, I (don’t) know (anything) pretty much to stop it,” Edwards-Helaire said.
“… Real bad dehydration … but it’s really just mentally just not being there. It is one of those things where early on guys who kind of pay attention like Travis (Kelce) and Kadarius (Toney) at times, they can even, they’ll know ahead of time like, ‘OK, Clyde’s not laughing, he’s not giggling, he’s not himself.'”
