Jamaal Charles Injury: Updates on Chiefs Star's Knee and Return

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles suffered a torn ACL during the team's Week 5 loss against the Chicago Bears. While Charles did avoid damage to any other ligaments aside from his ACL, he will not play again this season, and the Chiefs announced on Oct. 13 he had been placed on IR. 

Continue for updates.

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Charles Undergoes Stem-Cell Surgery

Friday, Dec. 11

Jenny Vrentas of SI.com conducted an interview with Charles, who stated he'll be ready for the start of the 2016 regular season and also revealed he recently underwent stem-cell surgery:

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CHARLES: I’ve been in Kansas City and in Florida. I just had a small procedure done on the knee a few days ago, but I have been back at the facility rehabbing with the trainers and some of my teammates who are also on injured reserve.

VRENTAS: What was the recent procedure you had done?

CHARLES: Stem cells. I had it the first time when I had my surgery, and I had to go back after six weeks for another treatment. It went well.

VRENTAS: Stem-cell treatment has become increasingly popular for NFL players trying to enhance healing from injuries and speed up recovery times. Why did you decide to try it?

CHARLES: It’s something different. Every year, somebody comes out with something different. When I tore my left ACL 4 years ago, I didn’t do it. This is a new thing that came out to get you back faster, so I just tried it.

"

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Charles Comments on Recovery

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Charles said he was "doing fine" while making an appearance in the Chiefs locker room, per ESPN's Adam Teicher.

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Charles Posts Instagram Picture After Surgery

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Charles posted an Instagram photo of himself in the hospital after undergoing surgery yesterday on his torn ACL:

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Charles Suffers Knee Injury vs. Bears

Sunday, Oct. 11

The NFL's official Twitter account provided a look at the play where Charles suffered the injury:

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out the injury was not to the same knee Charles injured in 2011.

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Charles' Absence Severely Weakens Chiefs Offense

Few players in the league are more important to their team than Charles is to the Chiefs. Not only does he handle a majority of the rushing load, but he's also heavily involved as a receiver out of the backfield. At times, it feels like he's Kansas City's entire offense.

Charles has been able to stay healthy despite getting so many touches and his small size (5'11", 199 lbs) compared to other players at the position. He's missed just two games over the past three seasons combined. His last extended absence came in 2011 due to a torn ACL in his left knee.

As expected, the Chiefs' running game hasn't handled this absence well. Charcandrick West and Knile Davis have combined for just over 300 yards and two rushing touchdowns this season, leaving the Chiefs without an explosive weapon on offense.