Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD Battle: Chiefs RB to Miss First 4 Games

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will sit out the first four games of the 2024 regular season due to his ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The team placed him on the non-football illness list to provide him with ample time to address this mental health condition.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the fifth-year running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, has embarked on a courageous journey to manage his mental health. Last month, he bravely opened up about his struggles with PTSD, a condition that has plagued him since December 2018. Edwards-Helaire's battle with the disorder has significantly impacted his life, leading him to miss portions of training camp and ultimately resulting in his placement on the non-football illness list to start the season.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD Battle: Chiefs RB to Miss First 4 Games

The genesis of Edwards-Helaire's PTSD stems from a traumatic incident that occurred nearly six years ago. In December 2018, he and an LSU teammate faced an attempted robbery while trying to sell an electronic item. Tragically, one of the men involved shot and killed an 18-year-old man.

Edwards-Helaire and his friend, Jared Small, were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by prosecutors. However, the incident has left an enduring scar on Edwards-Helaire's psyche. He has acknowledged that the shooting was a pivotal moment in the development of his PTSD, triggering a range of symptoms that have significantly impaired his well-being.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD Battle: Chiefs RB to Miss First 4 Games

Edwards-Helaire has described the impact of PTSD on his daily life, including episodes of vomiting and mental disorientation. The disorder has interfered with his ability to perform his duties as a professional football player, necessitating his absence from training camp and now the start of the regular season.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has expressed deep concern for Edwards-Helaire's well-being and has emphasized the importance of prioritizing his personal health over football. Nagy has acknowledged that Edwards-Helaire is a remarkable individual who deserves support during this challenging time.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire's PTSD Battle: Chiefs RB to Miss First 4 Games

Edwards-Helaire has also cited other traumatic experiences in his life, such as the loss of close friends to gun violence, as contributing factors to his PTSD. These events have amplified his vulnerability and left him with a heightened sense of insecurity.

The Chiefs organization has rallied around Edwards-Helaire, providing him with unwavering support and resources to help him navigate his mental health challenges. The team is confident that with the right treatment and care, Edwards-Helaire can overcome these obstacles and return to the field as a valuable asset.

While Edwards-Helaire's absence will be felt on the field, the Chiefs understand that his health and well-being are paramount. They will continue to monitor his progress and provide him with the necessary support throughout his recovery journey.

Edwards-Helaire's story serves as a reminder that mental health challenges can affect anyone, even professional athletes who seemingly have it all. It underscores the importance of seeking help when needed and the value of a supportive environment that fosters healing and recovery.

The Chiefs will kick off their title defense on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens without Edwards-Helaire. However, their primary focus remains on his well-being and their unwavering support for his recovery. The team and the NFL community as a whole will continue to rally behind Edwards-Helaire as he wages his personal battle with PTSD.