Clyde Edwards-Helaire trades places with Mecole Hardman on Chiefs roster

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has traded spots on injured reserve with Mecole Hardman on the Kansas City Chiefs roster.

The Kansas City Chiefs answered their two biggest roster questions remaining before Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles by finalizing the positions of both running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and wide receiver Mecole Hardman on Monday.

The Chiefs already made it clear following the conference championship that Hardman would be unlikely to play anymore in the postseason after re-aggravating a groin/pelvic injury that has kept him out for the entire second half of the season. This move makes that official as Hardman is now on injured reserve once again—a move that could signal the end of his tenure with the Chiefs organization.

As for Edwards-Helaire, his addition has been a question as the Chiefs watched him practice in recent weeks. Edwards-Helaire was on injured reserve but came off into a three-week window in which he could practice and the team could surmise whether or not they wanted to open up a roster spot for him. Now it appears they do and that he could earn some reps in Super Bowl LVII.

The Chiefs have rolled with a productive tandem of Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon for the last several weeks, but the Chiefs could use further depth behind them in case of injury. Also Ronald Jones hasn’t overwhelmed anyone in limited playing time, so it’s possible that Edwards-Helaire takes over RB3.

Hardman caught 25 passes for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air this season. He finished with 6 total scores. Meanwhile, Edwards-Helaire rushed for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns in ’22 for K.C.