Chiefs' Edwards-Helaire, Niang ruled out Week 18 vs. Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, OL Lucas Niang ruled out Week 18 vs. Broncos

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/6/22

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without their starting running back for the seventh time this season when they face the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The AFC West champions will also, unsurprisingly, be without an important member of their offensive line.

Lucas Niang and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are out for Saturday’s game vs. Broncos.https://t.co/MeUuEK9NjA
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 6, 2022

Following Kansas City's dramatic 34-31 loss to the Cincinatti Bengals in Week 17, it was reported that Niang was "believed" to have suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon. If Niang's season is indeed finished, he wraps up the campaign having lined up for 525 offensive snaps (62%) and 47 snaps on special teams (16%) across his 12 games played.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed slight optimism on Tuesday that Edwards-Helaire could suit up against Denver, but when the 22-year-old missed practice on Wednesday, the chances of his reappearance seemed to dwindle. The second-year pro has run for 517 yards on 119 carries while scoring four touchdowns in 10 games this season. Edwards-Helaire also produced 19 receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns through the air in 2021.

Kansas City is currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC, but with a victory over the Broncos and a loss by the Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs would secure the top spot for the postseason.

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