Chiefs injury updates: Clyde Edwards-Helaire will play, Sammy Watkins could sit vs Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs’ situation in the offensive backfield is coming into view now that game day is here against the Buffalo Bills.

According to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, veteran running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to be out for the game, while fellow back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will return to the team for the first time this postseason. In addition, he also had news for wideout Sammy Watkins:

No matter how much rest the Chiefs offer some players, some of them just can’t seem to get healthy. They rested the majority of their starters in Week 17 and had the bye week as well. Even more, guys like Watkins didn’t suit up against the Cleveland Browns and yet the Chiefs are still without their talented wide receiver as he deals with a lingering calf injury.

Watkins already missed the first game against the Bills this season, but the Chiefs didn’t flinch in that game as they dominated the Bills on both sides of the ball for an easy 26-17 win in Week 6. Since then, however, the Bills have gone into overdrive and have been dominating opponents in the second half of the season. They’ve also won two straight postseason games to make it to the AFC Championship at Arrowhead.

As for the backfield, the loss of Bell is a concern in terms of depth and offensive options for Andy Reid, but it’s nice to have Edwards-Helaire back for this game especially. Edwards-Helaire put up a season-high 161 rushing yards against the Bills back in Week 6—his second of two games over 100 rushing yards on the year. Behind him, Darrel Williams will look to extend his productive streak this postseason after a nice game against Cleveland.

The Bills and Chiefs will kick things off at Arrowhead at 5:40 p.m. C.T.