Saints sign former Chiefs 1st-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to practice squad

Edwards-Helaire signs with Saints for fresh start.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is back in Louisiana. Not at LSU this time, but with the Saints. The 2020 first-round pick has signed with New Orleans’ practice squad after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week. For a player who’s been through highs, lows, and everything in between, this feels… fitting.

The #Saints have signed former #Chiefs first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to their practice squad.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2024

The Saints need help. Alvin Kamara is dealing with a groin injury. The team’s record sits at 5-9. There’s talent in the backfield—Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams—but the depth feels shaky. Edwards-Helaire adds experience, even if his production hasn’t quite matched the promise of his rookie year.

Why the Saints need Edwards-Helaire now

New Orleans is navigating a tricky backfield situation. Alvin Kamara, their star RB1, is questionable with a groin injury, and while Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams have shown promise, the Saints’ 5-9 record suggests they’re looking for stability—and maybe a spark.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire brings experience, even if his recent numbers don’t pop off the page. His rookie year with the Kansas City Chiefs was electric: 1,100 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. But his production dwindled over the years, with injuries and a crowded depth chart pushing him to the sidelines.

What this means for Edwards-Helaire’s career

Let’s go back to 2020. Edwards-Helaire put up 1,100 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in his debut season. He looked like a perfect fit for Kansas City’s high-octane offense. Then, injuries hit. His carries dropped year by year. By 2023, he wasn’t even active for a single game.

On paper, he’s not the player who carried LSU’s backfield during their legendary 2019 championship run. He’s 25 now, battling the physical and mental toll of the game.

The #Saints are signing former #Chiefs first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, per @nick_underhill. The former LSU star is back in Louisiana. pic.twitter.com/zuzAjTGV8n
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 18, 2024

For the Saints, Edwards-Helaire is a low-risk, high-reward option. Starting on the practice squad gives him time to learn the system and prove his worth without immediate pressure. It also keeps him available should another team come calling.

A perfect match?

The Saints and Edwards-Helaire share a connection that goes beyond football. This is his hometown team, the one he cheered for as a kid. Fans can’t ignore the poetry of the moment—an LSU legend returning to Louisiana, ready to don the black and gold. It’s simple: work hard. Stay ready. Make the most of every rep.

Edwards-Helaire’s NFL journey has had its share of struggles. From injuries to his battle with PTSD, it’s been a tough road. But he’s not done. Not yet.

While the Saints are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, this move could set the stage for Edwards-Helaire to redefine his narrative.

Image: Imagn

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Chiefs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Saints

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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