Jamaal Charles Injury
The latest injury update on Jamaal Charles is that he has a high ankle sprain, which can be one of the worst injuries to an ankle. It is an injury that can keep a player out
for a few weeks and for a running back to have this injury it is really bad. An offensive lineman could still go out and play on a high ankle sprain, but for a running back there is no way Jamaal Charles can play with this type of ankle injury.
The Kansas City Star reported that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Jamaal Charles' ankle injury "doesn't look to be a real severe one." At 5.11 199 pounds Jamaal Charles has to rely on his great speed and quickness to be the great running back he is. But, with a high ankle sprain he will not have much success at all so the Chiefs must rest him to get him back to full strength.
Jamaal Charles' Backup: Knile Davis
Knile Davis has been described as a physical freak. He is 5'1o, 227 pounds and runs a 4.37 40 yard dash. In the 2013 NFL Combine Davis finished with the 2nd fastest 40 time and the did the 2nd most bench press reps of all the running backs. It was reported while he was at the University of Arkansas that he bench pressed over 400 pounds.
During Davis' two year career in the NFL with the Chiefs he has only averaged 3.5 yards per carry, which is pretty low. The best running backs in the NFL average about 5 yards per carry.
In week 3 the Chiefs face the Miami Dolphins, who own the 13th best run defense in the NFL. They give up an average of over 100 yards per game at a 3.8 yards per carry average. Davis should have success versus the Dolphins just like he had success against the Denver Broncos, who have the 10th best run defense in the NFL.
The Chiefs take on the New England Patriots in week 4 with the 21st run defense in the NFL. Davis should be able to have a really big day versus the Patriots. But, in week 5 the Chiefs will run into the San Francisco 49ers, who have the 7th ranked run defense in the NFL. That will be a tough week for the Chiefs running game, but they can still be successful.
The Chiefs will have a much needed BYE week in week 6 to give Jamaal Charles another week to heal up. Then in week 7, the Chiefs face the San Diego Chargers, who own the 15 ranked rushing defense.
I would sit Jamaal Charles on the bench until at least the 7th week of the season to let him get back healthy. He could probably get ready to play before then, but for him to be really successful he needs his ankle to be at 100%.