Clyde Edwards-Helaire Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Chiefs RB This Week?

Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has emerged as a top fantasy option at RB in 2023 but is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that kept him out of the first practice of the week heading into their matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

How aggressively should fantasy football managers go after Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the waiver wire in Week 14? Let’s take a closer look.

Should Clyde Edwards-Helaire Be a Fantasy Waiver Add in Week 14?

Update: The Chiefs have officially ruled Pacheco out for Sunday’s game against the Bills, according to a report from Ian Rapoport. Additionally, Andy Reid claims that Edwards-Helaire would be the RB1 in this backfield with Pacheco sidelined.

Pacheco has been one of the few consistent producers from a normally explosive Kansas City offense through the first 12 games of the season. His 988 total yards and seven scores on the season currently has him as the RB10 in PPR formats.

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Unfortunately, his status for Week 14 appears to be trending in the wrong direction. After being listed as a non-participant for Wednesday’s practice on the Chiefs injury report, a recent report from Adam Teicher mentions Pacheco missing Thursday’s practice too.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid didn’t seem all too concerned about Pacheco’s status heading into their matchup against the Bills while speaking to the media on Wednesday.

“Pacheco actually came in with a shoulder contusion,” said Reid. “We will see how he works out here. He’s getting that checked, so he won’t work out today.”

Pacheco exited their Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers in the second after he was ejected after an altercation with CB Keisean Nixon. His departure via ejection suggested his shoulder injury wasn’t too problematic — considering he didn’t leave the game due to injury — but his absence from the first two practices of the week certainly puts his status for Sunday in jeopardy.

Since RB Jerick McKinnon was already unavailable against the Packers due to a groin injury, Edwards-Helaire saw his second-highest snap share (25%) of the 2023 season. For some context, Edwards-Helaire saw 30% of the snaps in a blowout win against the Chicago Bears back in Week 3.

Once deemed a great breakout fantasy candidate back in 2020 when the Chiefs selected him in the first round, Edwards-Helaire has been reduced to a mere waiver wire add in Week 14 due to an injury. This is where his fantasy value lies right now.

Edwards-Helaire had a decent rookie campaign, producing 1,100 total yards and five TDs on 217 touches. Unfortunately, he has seen his role diminish every season of his career due to injuries and being outplayed by other backs on the roster.

Despite falling short of the high expectations many had for Edwards-Helaire entering this productive offense, he is still a very capable back when given an ample amount of opportunities. He started the 2022 season with four straight games of 14+ fantasy points in PPR formats and did much of his damage in the passing game.

Don’t let his disappointing fantasy career blind you from the fact he could be a top-24 play at the RB position this week if both Pacheco and McKinnon are inactive against the Bills.

I wouldn’t advise blowing the rest of my FAAB on him, but he is certainly worth a speculative add for Week 14.

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