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

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles experienced issues in his knee leading up to Week 7, but he is ready to play.

Continue for updates.  

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Charles Active vs. Saints

Sunday, Oct. 23

BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official website announced that Charles is available to play against New Orleans.

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Charles Struggling to Shake Injury Bug

Any injury to Charles will immediately sound alarm bells for everyone in Kansas City, particularly in the knee. He is coming off a 2015 season in which he played in only five games after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee, four years after suffering the same injury in his left knee. 

The Chiefs were able to overcome Charles' injury last year by winning their last 10 regular-season games and shutting out the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Game. They didn't have the same explosiveness out of the backfield, though Charcandrick West did perform well with 634 yards in 15 games. 

Charles' rehab from the knee injury last season kept him out of action for the Chiefs' first three games of this season. 

West and Spencer Ware have been terrific filling in for Charles this season. They have combined for 829 rushing yards on 166 carries for the Chiefs. 

The Chiefs proved last year they aren't doomed without Charles, but their chances of finding consistent and sustained success on offense decrease with him on the sidelines due to the lack of explosiveness in the passing game with Alex Smith at quarterback.