The Chiefs will keep paying Clyde Edwards-Helaire while he’s on the NFI list.

The Kansas City Chiefs are supporting Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire of the Kansas City Chiefs will start the 2024 NFL season on the NFI (non-football illness) list, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season. Despite having no requirement to do so, the Chiefs will continue to pay Edwards-Helaire’s salary while he addresses PTSD and mental health issues. Earlier this year, the 2020 first-round pick spoke about his PTSD, which arose from a ‘self-defense situation’ in December 2018. During that incident, Edwards-Helaire and a former LSU teammate were involved in a robbery attempt while selling an item, resulting in the alleged robber being shot and killed by someone with them. Both Edwards-Helaire and his teammate were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Earlier this week, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke about Edwards-Helaire’s situation, describing the running back as a “special, great” individual.

“For me, it’s about the personal aspect. We all face different challenges, and Clyde is such a unique person,” Nagy noted. “He’s a fantastic human being. Above all, everyone in this organization wants to ensure that Clyde is doing well mentally and that he’s happy and enjoying what he does, because when he’s here, he’s outstanding. So that’s the priority, and everything else will follow.”