Jamaal Charles should see a heavier workload at Oakland after recovering from an ACL tear in 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has had two ACL tears in his nine seasons of NFL experience (2011 and 2015).
Charles’ injuries occurred in each of his knees, once in the left knee and once in the right knee. Logic would suggest that after an ACL tear, running backs would not be the same player.
But in 2012, Charles posted 1,509 rushing yards, which remains his career-best. He only found the end zone six times in 2012, though, a career low for the Chiefs running back.
Charles produced his best season in 2013 when he accounted for 19 total touchdowns, 1,287 rushing yards and nearly 700 receiving yards.
As we approach Week 6 and the Chiefs travel to take on the Oakland Raiders, Charles is set see an increased workload in the offense. That begs the question: what should we expect from a 29-year-old NFL running back returning from his second ACL tear?
On the surface, it’s tough to answer that question. Regardless of what we ultimately see from Charles in terms of production, it’ll take some time for No. 25 to return to “true form.”
The Chiefs desperately need Charles to pick up some of the offensive slack. While Alex Smith and the rest of the offense have struggled so far in 2016, Andy Reid will no doubt look to Charles to add some explosive play.
Spencer Ware has filled in nicely for Charles during his absence (5.3 yards per attempt). However, Ware lacks the “it factor” that Charles brings each game. At any moment, Charles has the speed and agility to make a spectacular play.
Charles saw very little action in the Chiefs’ Week 4 debacle in Pittsburgh (only two carries). Kansas City Star Chiefs beat writer Terez Paylor added some valuable insight to what the workload for Charles might look like Sunday against Oakland:
"The Chiefs have been extra careful with him, but with the offense desperately needing a spark–and Charles now having a game under his belt, plus a bye week of rest–I wouldn’t be surprised if he started against the Raiders and got a healthy amount of touches.”"
The offensive line for the Chiefs has been a point of concern in 2016, too. Kansas City ranks 28th in total rushing yards (361) and touchdowns (two) so far this season. They rank dead last in total rushing attempts (83), albeit those numbers could be contributed to a comeback win in Week 1 and falling behind early in Week 4.
Nevertheless, the numbers are indicative of the Chiefs running attack in 2016. I don’t think fans want to get used to Smith dropping back to pass 50 times each game.
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There have been some positives to the Chiefs run game, though.
In rushes that have resulted in 10 or more yards gained, the Chiefs have had the most success in 2016 running the ball up the middle. They have had seven rushes of 10 yards or more up the middle. By comparison, the New York Jets have had eight rushes up the middle for 10 yards or more (No. 1 in the NFL), but they’ve carried the ball 42 more times.
In Weeks 2 and 3 the Chiefs ran the ball 16 and 23 times. In games that they show a commitment to the run game, they can be successful. They must avoid getting behind early.
Although they only lost by a touchdown in Week 2 at Houston, Reid could have run the ball much more. Smith threw the ball 37 times, while Ware and Charcandrick West ran the ball just 16 times. Combined, they averaged about seven yards per carry.
The Raiders have allowed 122 rushing yards per game, so the opportunity is there for Charles to break out. A big run early in the game would go a long way in making the Chiefs feel comfortable with him in the backfield.
After about 12 months of recovery time, you’d have to think Charles is ready to go. I’d hate to speculate on what’s taking him so long to return, but this week should be a big test that lets us know what direction Charles is heading in 2016.