Getty Images. Pictured: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The Chiefs could be without running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire against the Browns on Sunday. The rookie is listed as questionable with an ankle injury after not practicing on Thursday and only in a limited fashion on Wednesday.
The decision on Edwards-Helaire’s availability could come down to game time, which won’t give a lot of time for bettors or DFS players to react.
Edwards-Helaire was the team’s leading rusher, going for 803 yards in 13 games (4.4 yards per carry). He’s also a factor in the passing game, catching 36 balls for 297 yards. But he’s not as impactful in the game as another team’s starting running back might be — Kansas City as a whole is an average rushing team, ranking 16th in yards per game. Le’Veon Bell (4.0 YPC) and Darrel Williams (4.3 YPC) are capable backups in their limited sample size.
According to Sean Koerner, our Director of Predictive Analytics, Edwards-Helaire isn’t one of Kansas City’s five most valuable non-quarterbacks. He’d be worth less than 0.22 points to the spread, which is what Sammy Watkins is worth. Watkins will not play on Sunday due to injury.
Compare that to the Browns, who have one of the more valuable running backs in football in Nick Chubb, and the loss of Edwards-Helaire is no deal-breaker for the Chiefs. If the Browns were to lose Chubb, it would be worth 0.52 points to the spread.
Kareem Hunt is also more valuable than Edwards-Helaire at 0.24 points, according to Koerner.
Kansas City is favored by 10 points over Cleveland. Follow real-time odds here.