Browns have Conklin, Chiefs without Edwards-Helaire

Published Jan. 17, 2021 1:56 p.m. ET

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is inactive for the Kansas City Chiefs for their divisional playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, taking one dynamic playmaker away from Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champions.

Edwards-Helaire returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Week 15 against New Orleans. But the dynamic first-round pick, who piled up 1,100 yards from scrimmage in just 13 games this season, did not work out on Thursday or Friday and was listed as questionable on the final injury report.

That means Le’Veon Bell will start with Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson backing him up.

Meanwhile, All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin is active for Cleveland on Sunday after sustaining a hamstring injury in last week's wild-card win over Pittsburgh. Conklin didn't practice for two days before returning in a limited capacity Friday.

Chiefs right tackle Mike Remmers is active after he was added to the injury report with an illness just 2 hours before kickoff. Remmers already is filling in for Mitchell Schwartz, who remains on injured reserve.

Also inactive for the Chiefs are wide receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (ankle), both of whom had been listed as out. Defensive back Rashad Fenton was questionable with an ankle injury but will not play Sunday, which means rookie L'Jarius Sneed will slide into the lineup when the Chiefs go to nickel and dime sets.

Backup offensive lineman Martinas Rankin and defensive linemen Tim Ward and Khalen Saunders are also inactive.

Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio is back for the Browns after missing last week's game with COVID-19, along with cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson. As expected, linebacker B.J. Goodson is active despite a shoulder injury that limited him in practice, and tight ends Stephen Carlson (groin) and David Njoku (hamstring) are both available.

The Browns left inactive wide receivers Marvin Hall and Alexander Hollins, cornerback Brian Allen, offensive lineman Alex Taylor, safety Jovante Moffatt, defensive end Joe Jackson and tight end Kyle Markway for their first divisional game since January 1995.

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