Chiefs Turn to Clyde Edwards-Helaire as Isiah Pacheco Sidelined for Showdown with Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs will have to make significant changes to their offensive rotation entering their highly anticipated Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With starting running back Isiah Pacheco ruled out, the team has called up a familiar face — former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire — from the practice squad. The decision marks a full-circle moment for Edwards-Helaire, who returns to the active roster in one of Kansas City’s biggest games of the season.

Alongside Edwards-Helaire, the Chiefs also elevated guard C.J. Hanson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hanson’s promotion comes amid ongoing uncertainty on the offensive line, with starting left tackle Josh Simmons unavailable due to personal reasons and guard Trey Smith listed as questionable. The Chiefs’ depth up front will be tested as they face one of the AFC’s most physical defenses.

Pacheco’s absence leaves a sizable void in Kansas City’s backfield. The third-year running back has been a consistent force in the offense, known for his energy and downhill running style. In his place, veteran Kareem Hunt is expected to take the lead role, with rookie Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell providing additional support. Edwards-Helaire’s activation gives the unit a familiar presence — one with deep experience in Andy Reid’s offensive system.

As Kansas City prepares to face Buffalo, the adjustments highlight both the team’s injury challenges and its depth. The Chiefs’ ability to adapt has long been a strength under Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but they’ll need all hands on deck to keep pace with a surging Bills squad.

1. Edwards-Helaire’s Return to a Familiar Role

Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s reappearance on the active roster represents another chapter in what has been an up-and-down NFL journey. Selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the 2020 draft, Edwards-Helaire entered the league with lofty expectations after a standout collegiate career at LSU. However, despite flashes of potential, his tenure in Kansas City never quite lived up to those projections. Over his first four seasons, Edwards-Helaire amassed just 1,845 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns — modest numbers for a player drafted to be the team’s feature back. Injuries, inconsistency, and the rise of Pacheco gradually reduced his role, though he remained part of two Super Bowl-winning rosters. Following his release during the 2024 offseason, Edwards-Helaire briefly joined the New Orleans Saints, appearing in two games before being waived again. He returned to Kansas City’s practice squad shortly after and has spent the current season waiting for another opportunity. That chance now arrives against one of the league’s toughest defenses, in a setting that could either revive his career or serve as a short-term depth move. While Edwards-Helaire may not carry a full workload, his familiarity with Kansas City’s offensive scheme could prove valuable. As the Chiefs look to maintain balance against Buffalo’s aggressive front seven, his experience in pass protection and short-yardage situations could be key to sustaining drives.

2. Mahomes vs. Allen: Rivalry Renewed

While roster adjustments draw attention, the real spotlight on Sunday night will fall on the quarterbacks. Week 9 marks the latest installment in the growing rivalry between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — two of the most dynamic signal-callers in football and the centerpieces of their respective franchises. Mahomes holds a narrow 5–4 edge in their all-time meetings, though Allen has won four of five regular-season matchups. Both teams enter this game with momentum. The Chiefs are riding a three-game winning streak and have captured five of their last six contests, finding their rhythm after an inconsistent start. The Bills, meanwhile, snapped a two-game skid with a dominant 40–9 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, rediscovering their offensive flow in the process. Beyond individual performances, the outcome could have major implications for AFC playoff seeding. Kansas City and Buffalo have developed into perennial contenders, often crossing paths in critical late-season or postseason battles. A win this weekend could give either side a crucial edge in the race for home-field advantage down the stretch. Both offenses boast elite quarterbacks and big-play potential, but their identities have evolved. The Chiefs lean on Mahomes’ improvisation and a more methodical approach, while the Bills rely on Allen’s dual-threat ability and explosive passing plays. Sunday’s showdown promises another high-stakes chapter in what has become one of the NFL’s premier rivalries.

3. Stakes High for Both AFC Contenders

As the Chiefs travel to Buffalo, the game represents far more than just another regular-season test. Both teams enter Week 9 seeking to reaffirm their dominance in a crowded AFC field. Kansas City’s offensive depth will be tested without Pacheco, but the presence of Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid ensures that the team remains capable of adjusting on the fly. For Buffalo, the matchup offers a chance to build on its momentum and close the gap in the all-time series against a familiar playoff rival. The Bills’ defense, bolstered by a deep secondary and disciplined front seven, will look to pressure Mahomes early and force Kansas City’s new-look backfield to shoulder the load. The Chiefs’ ability to run the ball efficiently without their starter could determine the tone of the game. If Edwards-Helaire and Hunt can find success on the ground, it may open opportunities for Mahomes to exploit Buffalo’s defense through play-action and quick passes. Conversely, if the run game stalls, Kansas City risks becoming one-dimensional against an opponent built to handle high-powered offenses. Ultimately, Sunday’s matchup encapsulates everything that defines modern AFC football — elite quarterback play, strategic adjustments, and playoff-level intensity in November. Both teams have their eyes on the same goal: reasserting themselves as the conference’s top contender.