Jamaal Charles Injury: Updates on Chiefs RB's Recovery from ACL Surgery

Joseph ZuckerJun 10, 2016

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the preseason after tearing his ACL last October. He has since been taken off the list but missed the first three games of the regular season. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

Charles Active vs. Steelers

Sunday, Oct. 2

The Chiefs announced Charles is available to play against Pittsburgh in Week 4.

Latest on Charles' Practice Status

Wednesday, Sept. 28

Reid told reporters Charles will practice this week, adding, "We'll see how he does." On Wednesday, he was listed as limited, per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

Reid Comments on Charles' Role After Return

Monday, Sept. 19

"We would have the flexibility to do that with the backs that we have," Reid told reporters on the potential of limiting Charles' snaps when he returns to action.

On Sept. 16, when asked if Charles would be the go-to running back after his return, Reid told the Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor, "When he's ready to go, he'll be a pretty good player."

Charles Comments on Recovery

Friday, Aug. 26

Charles said he's feeling good and is "mentally and spiritually at an all-time high," per Pete Sweeney of Chiefs.com.

Dorsey Comments on Charles' Status

Wednesday, Aug. 10

"I would say within the next couple of weeks [Charles], too, will be ready to suit up in pads and position himself [to play]," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said, per Teicher.

Reid Comments on Charles Being Placed on PUP List

Wednesday, July 27

Charles Could Resume Normal Workload

Tuesday, July 26

Teicher reported the "Chiefs won't limit Charles if he's healthy and he's the same player he was before the knee injury."

Charles Posts Training Video

Monday, July 11

Charles Participates in Minicamp

Tuesday, June 14

Paylor said Charles was set to "go through warm-ups and individual drills" on June 14.

Per Teicher, Reid said on June 10 that it was possible Charles would take part in drills during minicamp.

Teicher also noted that Charles had been doing work with a trainer off the field as the rest of the Chiefs were practicing.

Charles Vital to Chiefs' Long-Term Success

When healthy, Charles is one of the NFL's best running backs. Unfortunately, staying healthy has been a problem for the 29-year-old over the last few years.

In 2011, he tore his left ACL in the second game of the season and missed the remainder of the campaign. Five games into the 2015 season, Charles tore his right ACL and was out for the rest of the year. He was on pace for another 1,000-yard season, rushing for 364 yards, four touchdowns and averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Charles wrote about his recovery on his personal website in March. In the piece, he said he'd be better than ever when he returns:

"
Sometimes when I go to rehab, it's a challenge for me. But I'm really motivated to overcome that challenge. I'm 29 years old, and this year and next year are going to really be my prime years of my career. So this is really a chance for me to make sure I do it right this time. I'm really trying to hit it hard. I'm going to make sure this will be my last time having an injury like this. So I have to be on point this time. I'm really focused and really dedicated.
"

Nobody would argue the Chiefs are a better team without their starting running back, but Kansas City at least showed last year it could compete without him.