June 14, 2016; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles goes through a drill during minicamp at the team’s training facility. (Rex Wolf/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Running back Jamaal Charles will start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, coach Andy Reid said Wednesday.
Charles returns from an anterior cruciate ligament surgery to his right knee, but the move doesn’t indicate a setback in his recovery.
“I think he’s on track,” Reid said. “He’s played a lot of downs, so he knows what he needs to do to get ready and I think we’ll be fine there.”
Charles, who enters his ninth season, did not participate in organized team activities (OTAs) before participating in individual drills during mandatory minicamp.
The Chiefs can remove Charles from the PUP list once he is medically cleared, but that process won’t likely occur when the team holds its first official practice.
“I don’t think it will be by Saturday,” Reid said.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs don’t have to rush Charles back during training camp when considering the ample depth at the running back position with Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Knile Davis and Darrin Reaves.
The Chiefs ranked sixth in the league in rushing (127.8 yards per game) in 2015 in the absence of Charles, who suffered the torn ACL against the Chicago Bears in Week 5.
While the offense is capable without Charles, it is more potent with him. And the Chiefs won’t risk a season without the dynamic Charles.
“I think the important thing is we’re patient with him and he’s back when he’s ready to go to be back and can do what he does,” Reid said. “Keep him healthy.”
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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