The Kansas City Chiefs are getting a boost to their running back room at the perfect time.
As Andy Reid suggested following Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s shoulder injury, the Chiefs have formally designated RB Jerick McKinnon to return from injured reserve per the NFL’s Wednesday personnel notice. McKinnon suffered a hamstring injury during the opening kickoff of the Week 11 game against the Dallas Cowboys and was placed on injured reserve the following week along with DT Khalen Saunders.
Players who are designated to return remain on the injured reserve list until they’re activated to the 53-man roster. McKinnon will have a three-week practice window during which the Chiefs can decide to activate him or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
In 11 games played this season, McKinnon has seven carries for 38 yards and 10 receptions for 81 yards. He’s seen the majority of his playing time on special teams, but he had his two most productive games on offense prior to his injury against the Cowboys.
Should Edwards-Helaire miss time with his shoulder injury, Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore would likely get most of the work. That said, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if Kansas City were able to return McKinnon this week. He’s been one of the better pass-blocking backs for the Chiefs this season and could easily resume that role should he return healthy.
