Jamaal Charles Could Return For Playoffs

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has a “realistic chance” to return from injured reserve and contribute during the postseason, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Charles was placed on IR on November 1 and is technically eligible to play again in Week 17, but Kansas City is apparently eyeing a playoff return for its veteran back.Jamaal Charles (Vertical)

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Nearly every report on Charles since he had surgery on both knees — dual procedures which increased the possibility he’d play again this season — has been positive and indicated a likelihood that Charles would be a factor during the postseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the day after Charles’ operations that he could probably return this season, and reaffirmed that notion just last week.

The Chiefs are a near-lock to secure a postseason berth, and also have a good chance of earning a first-round bye — FiveThirtyEight gives Kansas City an 81% chance of avoiding Wild Card weekend, the second-best odds in the AFC behind New England. A bye could be important for Charles, as it would give him an extra week to recover before getting back on the field. If the Chiefs do get a bye, Charles would get roughly 10 weeks off between November 1 and a mid-January playoff game.

Charles, who turns 30 years old later this month, managed to play in only three games this season, and put up just 40 yards rushing on 12 carries. In his absence, Spencer Ware has become Kansas City’s primary running back, posting nearly 800 yards thus far in 2016. Charcandrick West has chipped in, as well, while the Chiefs also recently re-acquired Knile Davis.

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