Nov. 1, 2015; London; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) powers his way to scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Wembley Stadium. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs were busy Thursday at the running back position, locking up two main contributors from the past season to deals.
The Chiefs announced the signings of running backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware to contract extensions.
“Charcandrick and Spencer both stepped in and were very effective for us offensively last year,” general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. “These guys have different styles and abilities, and together they provide us quality depth at the running back position.”
West signed a two-year extension, a source familiar with the transaction informed The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. [Editor’s note: Copy is corrected from the original reported three-year extension]. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Chiefs have not announced the terms of West’s contract.
Ware signed a two-year extension, according to numerous media reports.
The 5-10, 205-pound West and 5-10, 229-pound Ware emerged last season to provide the Chiefs an effective one-two punch after Jamaal Charles went down with a torn ACL in Week 5.
With West and Ware providing a thunder-lightning combination, the Chiefs finished the 2015 regular season ranked sixth in rushing (127.8 yards per game).
West, who joined the Chiefs in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian, appeared in 15 games with nine starts 2015. He rushed for a team-high 634 yards and four touchdowns on 160 carries, adding 214 yards receiving and a touchdown on 20 catches.
Ware appeared in 11 games with two starts in 2015 and finished third on the team in rushing, producing 403 yards and six touchdowns on 72 carries. He added 6 yards receiving on six catces.
Ware joined the Chiefs after signing a reserve/future deal on Dec. 30, 2014 before being waived on Sept. 5, 2015. The Chiefs signed him to the practice squad on Sept. 6 before elevating him to the active 53-man roster on Oct. 13.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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