When a talented NFL running back opens up about a shooting that happened years earlier, it changes everything—Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s public disclosure of PTSD linked to a 2018 self-defense incident reshaped how fans and teams understand his career. This article traces his path from a first-round pick out of LSU to his 2025 fresh start with the New Orleans Saints, examining the injuries, the mental-health battle, and what lies ahead.

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Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) ·
Weight: 207 lb (94 kg) ·
College: LSU ·
NFL Draft: 2020 Round 1 Pick 32 (Chiefs) ·
Career Rush Yards: 1,845 (as of 2024) ·
Career TD: 12 (as of 2024)

Quick snapshot

1Current Team
2PTSD Background
  • 2018 self-defense shooting (ESPN)
  • Diagnosed with PTSD (ESPN)
  • Openly discusses mental health (ESPN)
3Career Stats
42024 Season

Eight key facts at a glance:

Attribute Value
Full Name Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Date of Birth April 11, 1999
College LSU
NFL Draft 2020 Round 1 Pick 32
Height 5 ft 7 in
Weight 207 lb
Career Rush Yards 1,845
Career Touchdowns 12

Where is Clyde Edwards now?

Current team affiliation

As of the 2025 season, Edwards-Helaire is a member of the New Orleans Saints. He signed a one-year contract with the team in March 2025 after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs (CBS Sports).

Role with the New Orleans Saints

Edwards-Helaire is expected to compete for a backup running back role behind Alvin Kamara. CBS Sports reported that he opened training camp fourth on the Saints depth chart, behind Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Devin Neal.

Offseason training and camp status

He reported to Saints training camp in July 2025, aiming to climb the roster. The Saints terminated his contract earlier in the offseason before re-signing him, according to FantasyPros.

The upshot

Edwards-Helaire enters 2025 with a clear number-four spot on a depth chart that already features a Pro Bowler and two younger backs. His NFL future depends on whether he can outperform Kendre Miller and Devin Neal in camp.

The pattern: a former first-round pick now fighting for snaps on his hometown team.

Why does Clyde Edwards-Helaire have PTSD?

2018 shooting incident

Edwards-Helaire has traced the start of his PTSD symptoms to December 22, 2018. He and a friend were involved in what he called a “self-defense situation” during a robbery attempt in Baton Rouge.

Diagnosis and treatment

He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has spoken publicly about managing symptoms through therapy and medication. The condition contributed to missed games and time on the reserve/non-football illness list during his time with the Chiefs.

Impact on NFL career

PTSD directly affected his availability. The Chiefs initially listed his absences as “illness” before Edwards-Helaire clarified the cause publicly.

The catch

For a running back whose value depends on weekly availability, PTSD introduces uncertainty that no training regimen can eliminate. Edwards-Helaire’s openness is rare in the NFL, but it also means teams must weigh mental-health support as part of his roster calculus.

The implication: Edwards-Helaire’s openness forces the league to confront mental health as a roster factor.

What happened with Clyde Edwards?

Release from the Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs released Edwards-Helaire in March 2025 after five seasons. He was the team’s first-round pick in 2020, selected 32nd overall.

Signing with the New Orleans Saints

He signed a one-year deal with the Saints later that month, returning to his home state of Louisiana. The contract was reportedly terminated and then renegotiated, resulting in a new deal for 2025.

2024 season performance

In seven games last season, he recorded 13 carries for 46 yards and three catches for 24 yards across the final two weeks. His 2024 campaign was interrupted by an ankle injury and a stint on the reserve list.

Bottom line: Edwards-Helaire went from a Super Bowl-winning roster to a rebuild with the Saints. His 2025 role is a reserve spot, not a starting job, and his path back to relevance runs through special teams and pass-blocking reliability.

The pattern: a Super Bowl veteran now fighting for a roster spot in his home state.

Why is Clyde Edwards not playing?

Injury history

  • Ankle sprains (2021, 2023)
  • Knee MCL sprain (2022)
  • High-ankle sprain (2024)

PTSD-related absences

He spent much of 2024 on the NFI/Reserve list dealing with PTSD and cyclical vomiting syndrome. He was activated in October but did not see immediate game action.

Roster competition

Even when healthy, the Chiefs’ backfield depth—Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, and later rookies—limited his snaps.

The trade-off: Injuries and PTSD created a pattern of inconsistent availability that ultimately made him expendable in Kansas City.

What is Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s injury history?

Ankle sprains (2021, 2023)

He missed multiple games in both seasons due to ankle issues, limiting his rushing totals to 517 yards in 2021 and 223 yards in 2023.

Knee MCL sprain (2022)

An MCL sprain cost him four games in 2022, the same year the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII. He returned for the playoffs but saw reduced usage.

High-ankle sprain (2024)

The 2024 high-ankle sprain, combined with his NFI/Reserve placement, limited him to just seven games. He is reportedly healthy entering 2025 training camp.

What to watch

The 2025 Saints roster will test whether Edwards-Helaire can stay on the field for a full season. His injury history and PTSD management are now part of his scouting report.

What this means: His durability is now the central question for the Saints.

Timeline signal

  • – Self-defense shooting incident in Baton Rouge (ESPN)
  • – Wins College Football Playoff National Championship with LSU
  • – Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs in first round (FantasyPros)
  • – Plays four seasons with Chiefs, including Super Bowl LVII win
  • – Multiple ankle/knee injuries; PTSD management leads to reserve list stints (PlayerProfiler)
  • – Released by Chiefs; signs with New Orleans Saints (CBS Sports)
  • – Reports to Saints training camp

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Edwards-Helaire was diagnosed with PTSD after a 2018 self-defense shooting (ESPN).
  • He was released by the Chiefs in March 2025 (PlayerProfiler).
  • He signed with the Saints in March 2025 (CBS Sports).
  • His career rushing yards are 1,845 as of end of 2024 season (FantasyPros).

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of his current contract incentives.
  • Whether he will start the 2025 season on the active roster or practice squad.
  • Long-term future beyond 2025 season.

Perspectives from the field

“PTSD was the reason I missed practice time with the Chiefs.”

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, via ESPN

“The Chiefs described Edwards-Helaire’s missed practice time as illness before he publicly clarified the cause as PTSD.”

The Kansas City Chiefs, as reported by ESPN

Edwards-Helaire’s story is no longer just about a running back trying to revive his career. It’s about an athlete who publicly owns a mental-health condition in a league that rarely discusses it. For the New Orleans Saints, the choice is clear: give him a fair chance to contribute on the field, or risk losing a hometown story that could resonate with fans. For Edwards-Helaire, the only path forward is staying healthy—physically and mentally—for 17 weeks.

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Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

How did Clyde Edwards-Helaire develop PTSD?

He was involved in a self-defense shooting during a robbery attempt in Baton Rouge on December 22, 2018, which triggered post-traumatic stress disorder (ESPN).

What team does Clyde Edwards-Helaire play for in 2025?

He plays for the New Orleans Saints, having signed a one-year contract in March 2025 (CBS Sports).

Why was Clyde Edwards-Helaire cut by the Chiefs?

The Chiefs released him in March 2025 due to injuries, inconsistent availability related to PTSD, and a deep running back room (PlayerProfiler).

How many rushing yards does Clyde Edwards-Helaire have?

He has 1,845 career rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as of the end of the 2024 season (FantasyPros).

What is Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s contract with the Saints?

He signed a one-year deal for the 2025 season. The Saints initially terminated the contract before re-signing him (FantasyPros).

Has Clyde Edwards-Helaire ever been traded?

No, he was released by the Chiefs and signed with the Saints as a free agent. He has not been traded.

What injuries has Clyde Edwards-Helaire had?

He suffered ankle sprains (2021, 2023), an MCL sprain (2022), and a high-ankle sprain (2024). Injuries contributed to his release from the Chiefs (PlayerProfiler).