The Chiefs’ worst fears have been confirmed. An MRI revealed that star running back Jamaal Charles has torn his ACL, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Losing Charles is obviously a huge blow to a Chiefs club that, after Sunday’s close loss to Chicago, sits at 1-4. In an AFC West the features the undefeated Broncos, the .500 Chargers, and the upstart Raiders, a serious injury to Charles could be a death knell for Kansas City. The 28-year-old Charles was his usual self early on in the 2015 campaign, averaging more than five yards per carry and scoring five times.
If Charles is out for the year, the Chiefs will turn to a combination of second-year pro Charcandrick West and third-year man Knile Davis. Davis had been the primary backup to Charles since the former’s rookie year, but Kansas City’s backfield has seen something of a changing of the guard in recent weeks, with West seeing the majority of the snaps behind Charles. A timeshare would probably make the most sense if the Chiefs are forced to play with Charles.
Charles missed most of the 2011 season with an ACL injury, though it was his left knee that was damaged four years ago.
Devastating if not surprising news for one of the best backs in the league. For my money no non-quarterback is more important to an offense. My first piece of evidence woukd be how the Chiefs wilted across the board immediately after they lost him against the Bears this Sunday.