Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles Could Return For Playoffs

December 11th, 2016 at 2:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has a “realistic chance” to return from injured reserve and contribute during the postseason, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Charles was placed on IR on November 1 and is technically eligible to play again in Week 17, but Kansas City is apparently eyeing a playoff return for its veteran back.

Nearly every report on Charles since he had surgery on both knees — dual procedures which increased the possibility he’d play again this season — has been positive and indicated a likelihood that Charles would be a factor during the postseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the day after Charles’ operations that he could probably return this season, and reaffirmed that notion just last week.

The Chiefs are a near-lock to secure a postseason berth, and also have a good chance of earning a first-round bye — FiveThirtyEight gives Kansas City an 81% chance of avoiding Wild Card weekend, the second-best odds in the AFC behind New England. A bye could be important for Charles, as it would give him an extra week to recover before getting back on the field. If the Chiefs do get a bye, Charles would get roughly 10 weeks off between November 1 and a mid-January playoff game.

Charles, who turns 30 years old later this month, managed to play in only three games this season, and put up just 40 yards rushing on 12 carries. In his absence, Spencer Ware has become Kansas City’s primary running back, posting nearly 800 yards thus far in 2016. Charcandrick West has chipped in, as well, while the Chiefs also recently re-acquired Knile Davis.

AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Gates, Broncos

December 8th, 2016 at 6:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs will probably put the franchise tag on defensive tackle Dontari Poe in 2017 while working to lock up Eric Berry on a long-term deal, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com opines. Berry, a cancer survivor, is in the midst of a tremendous season as he plays out his one-year franchise tender.

Over the summer, the odds of Berry staying in Kansas City didn’t seem strong. Now, one has to imagine that the Chiefs will do everything in their power to retain him. Using the franchise tag on Berry for a second straight year would be costly and they would be better off using it on Poe and delaying a long-term contract with him.

Berry would be owed $12.96MM if the Chiefs again place the franchise tag on him, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk points out should the Chiefs balk at meeting the soon-to-be 28-year-old safety’s asking price, he notes other teams would, mentioning Berry’s hometown Falcons as one who might. Kansas City stands to be one of the most cap-strapped teams in the league in 2017, so navigating the Poe/Berry situation will be difficult.

Here’s more from the AFC West as the division’s biggest game of the season approaches.

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is doing well, working hard, and hopeful to be back for the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The ninth-year running back is eligible to come off IR in Week 17. The Chiefs can be in much better position to score a playoff bye — which would be their first since 2003 — if they can navigate past the Raiders tonight. That would give Charles an extra week in his quest to make a comeback and likely return as a change-of-pace back behind Spencer Ware.
Antonio Gates is signed through the 2017 season but hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll come back for a 14th campaign. The 36-year-old tight end said the Chargers being a viable AFC West contender will determine that but does expect that to happen, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “My thing when I decide [whether to play another season] is, ‘Do we have a legitimate chance?’” Gates said. “I feel like we have a legitimate chance. I know the cliche. But I’m saying, legitimately, we should have a chance. Top to bottom, what we we’re going to be able to do, what we’re still able to do now even with the guys we’ve lost. I feel like in my heart we have a chance to win a Super Bowl next year. I feel like I deserve that. That’s what I want.” Currently 5-7 and en route to a second consecutive last-place West finish, San Diego’s lost numerous players to injuries for a second straight year, Gates missing multiple games earlier this season. Gates is in the decline phase of his career but has remained one of Philip Rivers‘ auxiliary targets, hauling in 34 passes for 327 yards and five touchdowns.
Brandon Marshall reinjured his left hamstring during the second half of the Broncos‘ win over the Jaguars, and Troy Renck of Denver7 notes growing signs are pointing to the team’s top non-rush linebacker missing Sunday’s game against the Titans. Recently signed to a four-year, $32MM extension, Marshall became the most notable investment in an inside linebacker in nearly a decade. He missed a game Denver lost earlier this season, against the Chargers in October. Former seventh-round pick Corey Nelson would be in line to start if Marshall sits.
Some players Broncos worked out three futures-contract candidates on Tuesday: center Michael Brewster and guards Reese Dismukes and Cyril Lemon (Twitter link via Renck).

Dallas Robinson contributed to this report

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Carr, Raiders, Dolphins

November 17th, 2016 at 6:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles landed on injured reserve Nov. 1 because he needed surgery on his right knee, in which he tore his ACL last season. It turns out Charles also underwent surgery on his left knee Thursday, but it actually increases the odds of a return this year, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Charles has now had the meniscus in each knee trimmed, not repaired, and could be a factor for the Chiefs if they make the playoffs. Despite having only gotten 12 carries from the four-time Pro Bowler this year, the 7-2 Chiefs are currently the AFC’s second seed and look bound for the postseason.

Chances Jamaal Charles Returns This Season Increasing?

November 2nd, 2016 at 7:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jamaal Charles underwent his third knee surgery in the past five years today, but the procedure raised the Chiefs’ hopes their all-time leading rusher can return this season.

The Dr. James Andrews-performed surgery went well, so much so Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets the ninth-year running back has a shot to come back and help the Chiefs in the 2017 portion of their 2016 campaign.

This is likely contingent on the team being in playoff contention by the time Charles is eligible to come off Kansas City’s IR in Week 17. Advancing to the playoffs in 2013 and ’15, and being knocked out of the 2014 race in Week 17, the Chiefs have been in contention in the season’s final week in each of Andy Reid‘s three seasons in Missouri. With the team having won its past three and being one of three AFC West outfits with two losses, Kansas City is heading down that road again and could certainly use Charles if he’s able.

Charles will turn 30 days before the Chiefs-Chargers New Year’s Day tilt and has not been healthy since tearing his ACL in October of last year. He underwent the additional knee surgery today as an exploratory measure after swelling prevented the two-time All-Pro from suiting up in Week 8. According to Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder (via KCChiefs.com), Charles experienced pain in both knees after the Raiders game less than three weeks ago.

However, the optimism should obviously be contained since Charles has not recovered from an ACL injury 13 months ago and has two ACL tears on his record since 2011. Spencer Ware has filled in remarkably well as a starter, just as Charles did when he commandeered the job from Larry Johnson in 2009. Ware’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry, has 824 yards from scrimmage and has started all seven of Kansas City’s contests.

Charles profiles as a cap casualty in 2017 since he’s due $7MM in nonguaranteed money for a team that stands to possess one of the tightest budgets come March.

Chiefs Place Jamaal Charles On IR

November 1st, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Ben Levine

For the second straight year, Jamaal Charles‘ season has been cut short. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the Chiefs running back has been placed on the injured reserve. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Charles will need surgery on his injured knee. The veteran has been battling knee issues all season as he attempted to come back from a torn ACL. Charles would be eligible to return to the Chiefs in Week 17.

The last we heard, Charles was visiting Dr. James Andrews for a checkup on his knee. The running back has been limited over the past couple of weeks due to a swollen knee. ESPN’s Ed Werder tweets that neither the team nor Dr. Andrew could pinpoint the source of Charles’ knee pain, but there must have been enough concern to place the veteran on the injured reserve.

The 29-year-old has played only three games this season, compiling 40 rushing yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. Charles also had a shortened season in 2015 thanks to a torn ACL, but the running back still managed to rush for 364 yards and four touchdowns in five games. The veteran has rushed for 7,260 yards during his nine-year career, which is the best in franchise history. The Chiefs could clear $7MM of cap space by cutting the running back following this season, and some, including Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com (via Twitter), believe Charles’ career could be over.

The Chiefs have relied on Spencer Ware in Charles’ absence, and the third-year player has rewarded the team with more than five yards per carry. However, the 24-year-old suffered a concussion during this weekend’s win over the Colts, forcing the team to play third-string running back Charcandrick West. The team signed Bishop Sankey off of the Patriots practice squad earlier today, and they may promote one of Darrin Reaves and Zac Brooks from the practice squad if Ware can’t play this weekend.

Jamaal Charles To Get Knee Checked Again

October 30th, 2016 at 4:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will meet with Dr. James Andrews tomorrow for another status check on his injured knee, head coach Andy Reid told reporters, including Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Charles is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered a little over a year ago.

Charles, 29, has played in only three games this season, including Weeks 6 and 7, but the Chiefs had already ruled him out for today’s game. It’s unclear if Charles suffered a setback in his recovery, but the club said it was simply being cautious with the veteran back. Kansas City had been rolling along with Spencer Ware, who’d been averaging more than five yards per carry, but the third-year pro suffered a concussion against the Colts today.

With Ware and Charles sidelined, the Chiefs turned to the only other back on their roster, Charcandrick West, who received 14 carries on the day. If Charles gets bad new during his visit with Dr. Andrews, and Ware can’t escape from the league’s concussion protocol, Kansas City might be forced to sign one — or even two — free agent backs. The club currently has two RBs on its practice squad, Darrin Reaves and Zac Brooks.

AFC Notes: Chiefs, Bills, Texans, Browns

October 28th, 2016 at 5:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs announced that they have ruled out running back Jamaal Charles for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. The team says it’s being careful with the four-time Pro bowler given that he suffered a torn ACL last year. In place of Charles, who has only 12 carries in three appearances this season, the Chiefs will continue leaning on Spencer Ware. The third-year man has held his own with nearly 800 total yards (492 rushing, 285 receiving) and three touchdowns in the Chiefs’ first six games.

More regarding Kansas City and three other AFC teams:

Bills general manager Doug Whaley tells WGR 550 the trade market has been “relatively quiet,” but he thinks it will pick up after Sunday (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak). He added that the Bills would not hesitate to make a trade before Tuesday’s deadline.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien classifies running back Lamar Miller as a game-time decision for Sunday’s contest against the Lions, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Miller suffered a bruised shoulder in the Texans’ loss to the Broncos on Monday, but he plans to play through it, writes Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. Miller and backup Alfred Blue picked up 11 carries apiece in Denver.
In addition to the previously reported Cayleb Jones, Jeremiah McKinnon, Blake Muir and James Vaughters, the Chiefs worked out defensive end Bobby Richardson on Tuesday, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Richardson started in 11 of 15 appearances as a rookie with the Saints last year, though he didn’t make much of an impact statistically (20 tackles, half a sack).
Safety Justin Currie is in Cleveland today for a tryout with the Browns, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets. Currie went undrafted from Western Michigan last year and spent time wth the Giants.

Jamaal Charles To Play On Sunday

September 30th, 2016 at 1:48pm CST by Zachary Links

After missing all of September, Jamaal Charles is ready to make his 2016 debut. Despite being listed as questionable, the running back will suit up for the Chiefs on Sunday night against the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Charles tore his ACL roughly one year ago, ending his season after just five games. Fortunately, the Chiefs have managed to get by with Spencer Ware in the primary role at tailback as he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in three games this year. Still, he is not as dynamic of a runner as a healthy Charles. The 29-year-old has four Pro Bowl selections to his credit, plus two All-Pro nods.

In five games last year, Charles looked to be on his way to another stellar season with 5.1 yards per carry, four rushing touchdowns, plus 21 catches for 177 yards and a receiving TD. Entering his ninth NFL season, Charles is out to show that he can get back to his old form after major surgery.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

“Chance” Jamaal Charles Plays In Week 4

September 26th, 2016 at 3:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jamaal Charles could return to the field in Week 4, according to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who says “there’s a chance” the veteran back is able to play against the Steelers on Sunday night (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star). Charles has yet to play this season as he recovers from an ACL injury suffered last October.

The Chiefs have managed to get by without Charles, as Spencer Ware has taken over the lead back role in his absence. In three games, Ware has averaged 4.9 yards per carry, rushing for more than 200 yards and adding 10 receptions. Charcandrick West has also chipped in, handling 12 attempts for 63 yards and 10 receptions of his own. Fellow running back Knile Davis is also on the roster, but he has yet to see a carry this season.

Charles, of course, is one of the better backs in the league when at full strength, but Kansas City has exhibited a cautious approach when it comes to his recovery. The 29-year-old has reportedly been working with the scout team during practice, so it seems that he’s at least somewhat close to returning.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC West Notes: Chiefs, Bosa, Sanchez

August 10th, 2016 at 6:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Dorsey is confident Eric Berry will show up at some point for the Chiefs‘ training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., which runs through August 18, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

“The agent has said … at some juncture during this course he will show up here,” Dorsey said. “I haven’t talked to Eric one on one about when he’s going to show up. Knowing what a prideful professional he is, I think he will show up at the appropriate time.”

Dorsey and the Chiefs weren’t able to work out an extension with the two-time All-Pro safety, and Berry is among a few high-profile Chiefs not participating in training camp. Berry’s absence leaves the Chiefs with only Ron Parker back from their strong core of safeties from 2015, a group that included since-retired Husain Abdullah and current Cardinal Tyvon Branch.

Berry has yet to sign his $10.86MM franchise tender and as late as July 26, the 27-year-old defender was not expected to report to camp. Since he hasn’t signed the tender, he’s not obligated to do so, leaving the Chiefs thin at safety.

Here’s more from the Chiefs and their division rivals.

Dorsey, though, was confident that Jamaal Charles would be ready by Week 1, with the fourth-year GM’s stance on Justin Houston was much murkier, according to Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star. Dorsey referred to Charles as “ahead of schedule” despite the running back undergoing knee surgery last October, and he sees the eighth-year starter practicing within a couple of weeks. As for Houston, Dorsey did not want to offer a prospective return date like he did with Charles. After undergoing knee surgery in February, Houston is expected to miss the start of the season.
Nick Foles‘ deal is worth $1.25MM this season, with no signing bonus included, Terez Paylor of the Star reports. However, the fifth-year quarterback will earn a $200K roster bonus if he makes the 53-man team, as he’s expected to. The Chiefs hold a team option for Foles, who would see his price rise significantly if the Chiefs pick it up. At a $10.4MM base, Foles’ 2017 salary seems contingent on him becoming the starter. Since that’s not in the Chiefs’ plans as of now, with Alex Smith signed through 2018, it’s unlikely Kansas City picks up that option.
Joey Bosa‘s camp made the last offer in the edge defender’s impasse with the Chargers, putting the ball in San Diego’s court, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets. The sides are still believed to be haggling over offset language and the structure of Bosa’s signing bonus.
Trevor Siemian has looked the best this offseason for the Broncos, per Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). But sources within the organization informed him the team will likely start Mark Sanchez in Week 1 due to his experience. However, the Broncos won’t be afraid to make a switch to Siemian if he continues to show them more than seventh-round picks typically do. Siemian is slated to play the second quarter of the Broncos’ preseason opener on Thursday.
Projected to be the Broncos’ right guard starter after moving from right to left tackle last year, Ty Sambrailo is now expected to miss the preseason due to an elbow injury he sustained in late July, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. The Broncos are thin behind Sambrailo after losing starters Evan Mathis (in free agency) and Louis Vasquez (cut) from their Super Bowl championship lineup, placing Sambrailo and Max Garcia in at guard. But the team is now using Darrion Weems, a fifth-year player but one who hasn’t suited up for a game since doing so with the 2013 Cowboys, in relief. Swing tackle Michael Schofield is also working sporadically at right guard in Sambrailo’s stead.

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