Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire practices for second straight day

The Clyde Edwards-Helaire Watch continues for another day.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) put in a full practice Thursday for a second straight day, providing encouraging signs the running back is trending in the right direction for Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium, right?

Well, not so fast.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy pumped the brakes on that and didn’t say how Edwards-Helaire looked on the practice field. Instead, Bieniemy emphasized the importance of further evaluation before a decision is made about the second-year pro’s availability for the AFC Divisional Round game.

“We’re going to let the proper people take care of that, make sure the training staff is handling all that,” Bieniemy said. “I think if it goes well, he’ll do whatever he can to help us, if that’s the case. So, when it’s all said and done with, the training room will take care of that.”

Bieniemy’s stance on the evaluation process echoes what Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday about Edwards-Helaire. And the Chiefs have a Friday practice to utilize for another close look at Edwards-Helaire before assigning game designations on their final pre-game injury report.

If he is deemed ready for action, it would mark Edwards-Helaire’s first game since he suffered the shoulder injury in Week 16 — Dec. 26, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs would certainly like to have their 2020 first-round pick in the mix Sunday evening, especially with Darrel Williams missing a second straight day of practice with a toe injury.

Williams, who was hurt in the Chiefs’ regular-season finale, was dressed for the last weekend’s 42-21 playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers but saw limited action. Jerick McKinnon started and totaled 142 yards and a touchdown.

The Chiefs also practiced Thursday without cornerback Rashad Fenton (back) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr., who was arrested Wednesday night on a misdemeanor charge and had a Thursday afternoon court appearance.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo indicated that Reid would likely address Gay’s status for this weekend’s game during the head coach’s usual Friday session with reporters.

The Chiefs added linebacker Anthony Hitchens (back) and tackle Prine Tega Wanogho (rib) to the injury report as limited participants in Thursday’s practice. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (heel) and cornerack L’Jarius Sneed (knee) practiced fully.

For the Bills, defensive end Mario Addison (shoulder) was limited for a second straight day. Addison was the only player listed on Buffalo’s injury report.