Jamaal Charles Says He'll Be Ready for 2016 Season Following Stem-Cell Surgery

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was lost for the season when he tore his ACL in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears, but the Pro Bowler is trying a unique approach to his recovery.

According to Jenny Vrentas of the MMQB, the 28-year-old veteran recently underwent stem-cell treatment—largely out of curiosity:

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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.

[The procedure was] 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.

It's something different. Every year, somebody comes out with something different. When I tore my left ACL four 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.

"

While every player reacts differently to knee injuries, Charles is confident that he will be back in time for the start of the 2016 season. "I'll be ready," he said.

Strangely enough, Kansas City has actually been better since the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection was placed on injured reserve.

After a 1-4 start, the Chiefs are now 7-5, and they control their own destiny when it comes to landing an AFC playoff berth.

The manner in which backup running back Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware have stepped up in Charles' absence has had a lot to do with KC's resurgence.

Even so, the Chiefs would love to have their five-time 1,000-yard rusher back as quickly as possible, and Charles is doing everything within his power to make that happen.

Only Charles truly knows his point of view on the matter, but perhaps watching West and Ware perform so well has motivated him even more to come back and reassume his role as the dominant rusher in Kansas City's backfield.

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