The Chiefs enter the final regular season game holding the No. 5 playoff seed and with no opportunity to improve the position.
And the theme throughout the week at the Chiefs training facility surrounded who will play in Sunday’s afternoon game against the San Diego Chargers.
Sunday morning shed light on at least one player.
At least two national NFL reporters are on record stating Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is not expected to play.
Good news for #Chargers: #Chiefs planning to rest RB Jamaal Charles, source says. He won’t be active (as @JayGlazer said).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2013
With Charles reportedly resting, he’ll finish the regular season with 1,980 total yards from scrimmage (1,287 rushing, 693 receiving), leaving him 20 yards shy of the 2,000 milestone.
Charles would’ve been the third running back in team history to accomplish the feat.
Priest Holmes did it three times (2001, 2002, 2003) and Larry Johnson did it twice (2005, 2006).
Still, when it comes to individual accomplishments over the good of the team, coach Andy Reid indicated during Friday’s media session the former takes a back seat.
“I don’t get caught up in it, he’s not caught up in it,” Reid said of Charles approaching 2,000 yards from scrimmage. “So I guess on the important list, it’s probably not that important, I guess.”
Charles’ regular season will end with career highs in yards from scrimmage, rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (19), receptions (70), receiving yards (693) and receiving touchdowns (7).
In the meantime, the Chiefs will likely lean on rookie running back Knile Davis in Charles’ place with Cyrus Gray as Davis’ backup.
The Chiefs’ complete list of inactives will arrive roughly 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
