Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Week 5 Status: Will He Play?
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is listed as *doubtful* for Monday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. He’s been dealing with an illness and, despite participating in limited practices throughout the week, he’s unlikely to make his 2024 debut just yet. The Chiefs will likely look to Week 6 for Edwards-Helaire’s return as he continues to recover.
With Edwards-Helaire sidelined, Kansas City will once again lean on their backfield trio of Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele. Hunt, a midseason acquisition, has taken on a larger role, especially after leading the team in carries last week. He’s expected to handle most of the workload against the Saints, making him a solid fantasy option for Week 5.
Fantasy Impact: Hunt Leading the Charge
Fantasy managers should confidently start Kareem Hunt in Week 5, as he appears to be the Chiefs' primary option in the backfield. Hunt was heavily involved last week and, with no injury designation, he’s set for another big role. Samaje Perine remains a bit of a wild card—while he did find the end zone in Week 4, he hasn't shown the consistency needed to trust him in most fantasy lineups.
Meanwhile, Carson Steele is expected to see limited action and remains more of a depth option. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to monitor his involvement, but Hunt is by far the safer play for those looking to capitalize on the Chiefs’ run game.
How Kansas City’s Backfield Will Shape Up
As Edwards-Helaire remains doubtful, the Chiefs' running back committee will have to keep things moving in his absence. Hunt’s experience and versatility give him the edge, and Perine is likely to handle some short-yardage and goal-line situations. As the Chiefs navigate through Edwards-Helaire’s absence, the workload split will become clearer, but for now, Hunt remains the top fantasy choice.
Keep an eye on Sunday and Monday for any last-minute updates on Edwards-Helaire’s status, but all signs point to him missing Week 5.