Jamaal Charles' Fantasy Expectations Must Be Tempered in Week 3

Kansas City Chiefs star running back Jamaal Charles, despite suffering a high ankle sprain this last Sunday, practiced on Thursday in limited fashion.

Adam Teicher of ESPN provided a rather encouraging account of Charles' form on the field and also weighed in on the Pro Bowler's ability to come back so soon:

While Charles' swift return is a good sign for Kansas City fans and his multitude of fantasy owners, the Chiefs must exercise caution. If they intend on activating Charles for Week 3's road game against the Miami Dolphins, the starting ball-carrier ought to be Knile Davis.

Therefore, Charles' fantasy outlook shouldn't be too optimistic. He is a mortal lock, No. 1 option when healthy, but Davis carried 22 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. Coach Andy Reid has no reason to rush Charles back into a game situation, at least as the workhorse.

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Davis proved capable of taking the punishment, as he helped the Chiefs hang tough with the Denver Broncos. He was able to get into a rhythm and use his 227-pound frame to chip away at Denver's front seven.

KC quarterback Alex Smith has attempted 77 passes through two weeks, which isn't going to be a viable game plan moving forward. Smith talked after the Broncos game about the fresh changeup Davis brought to the Chiefs backfield, per The Kansas City Star's Randy Covitz:

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He brings a different style to our offense. He's a physical back, a big back who can really run. You have a little bit of a pounding effect on the defense and gives the guys up front that mentality that you can pound it with Knile. I thought he did a good job in protection and in the pass game as well.

He did a great job for a young guy. Jamaal is in on everything. Jamaal takes all the reps in practice so for those young guys like Knile and Cyrus Gray, it's a tough position, and I thought they did a great job.

"

Having a bigger, stronger and more physical back featured in Davis might implore Reid to necessarily adjust his offense and not air it out so often. That isn't Smith's game. It isn't how he led the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game following the 2011 season.

Smith's postgame comments even hint at a longing to lean on the rushing attack a little more, something Reid has never been known to do from his days in Philadelphia.

An emphasis on the pass could allow Charles to be in the lineup, where he could go out for more pass patterns, get the ball in space and make defenders miss.

However, if Charles is limited physically and can't be counted on as a runner on handoffs or after securing the catch, it defeats the purpose of such a strategy.

Dolphins beat reporter Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel cautioned those Miami fans who are elated about Charles' uncertain status:

The Chiefs are essentially in desperation mode and need an identity adjustment—to become tougher—to avoid a perilous 0-3 start. Davis is the type of back that can set the tone against a Dolphins team coming off of a disheartening Week 2 loss at Buffalo.

Hitting Miami in the mouth, so to speak, from the beginning is an excellent way to test the hosts' resolve, so Reid would be wise to deploy Davis as a means of executing that objective.

From a fantasy standpoint, that means fewer touches for Charles. Both the Chiefs faithful and fantasy owners should be pleased about this. It's a short-term sacrifice for the benefit of Kansas City's 2014 campaign and Charles' fantasy future.

As speedy, shifty and explosive as the AFC's reigning No. 1 rusher is, he could fight through his injury and even produce a big play or two—perhaps a long touchdown.

To be safe, though, fantasy owners have to consider where Kansas City is as a team, how well Davis played in Week 2 and how important it is for Charles to be as close to 100 percent as possible later in the year. In that context, Charles can't be endorsed as anything more than a flex play in Week 3—if he's active at all.