Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged on Friday that Charles, the team’s dynamic running back, will need some more recovery time as he returns from ACL surgery. It sounds like he’s iffy at best for the regular-season opener.
“I think Jamaal is going to need a little time to keep working to get himself back,” Reid said, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. “We’ll see how he does after a couple of days off.”
So the Chiefs could be without Charles in Week 1, star pass rusher Justin Houston is starting the season on the physically unable to perform list, and safety Eric Berry just recently reported to camp after a contract dispute. Also, outside linebacker Tamba Hali is questionable to play in Week 1. He’s also returning from ACL surgery.
But other than that, life is good for the Chiefs.
Charles is coming back from the second torn ACL of his career. He was just fine after his first one, as he rushed for 1,509 yards in 2012. But now he’s 29 years old, and still isn’t quite ready. Charles has maintained optimism through the preseason he would be back by Week 1.
“I’m ready for what the coaches ask,” Charles told the Kansas City Star on Tuesday. “I’m ready, happy and looking forward to getting on the field.”
Ware is next up on the depth chart, and Charcandrick West should be available to help carry the load. That duo was good after Charles’ knee injury last year, as the Chiefs won 10 in a row to finish the regular season.
But it’s not ideal for Kansas City to probably be without Charles for Week 1, and who knows how long after that. A team that has hopes to dethrone the Denver Broncos in the AFC West will be short-handed in a few spots to start the season.
No comments:
Post a Comment