Jamaal

Charles

He will sign a one-day contract to retire with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the third round in 2008. Charles played nine of his 11 seasons in Kansas City, averaging an incredible 5.5 yards per carry over 1,332 rushing attempts while with the Chiefs. He topped 1,300 yards from scrimmage five times from 2009 to 2014 -- a torn ACL in 2011 is the only thing which prevented him from going six-for-six -- and he scored 33 total touchdowns in 2013 and 14. Charles’ peak might not have been long enough for a Hall of Fame nod, but he was one of the best backs of his generation. At the least, he should be headed to the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor.

Charles lasted only two weeks in Jacksonville. This is due diligence from the Ravens. Charcandrick West and Fitzgerald Toussaint also worked out for Baltimore.

Charles unsurprisingly showed nothing in two games with the Jags, who will move forward with Carlos Hyde and T.J. Yeldon until Leonard Fournette gets right.

Charles was ineffective in his 2018 debut, averaging just 1.0 yards per carry in the blowout loss to Dallas. The 31-year-old obviously boasts an excellent resume but at this stage of his career, he’s just veteran depth. He’ll continue to fill a change-of-pace role behind T.J. Yeldon while Leonard Fournette works back from a hamstring injury.

With Corey Grant done for the season and Leonard Fournette (hamstring) out for Week 6, the Jags need a change of pace behind T.J. Yeldon. 31-year-old Charles wasn’t his former self in Denver last season, but he did average a respectable 4.28 yards per carry for a bad team. That being said, Charles probably won’t be worth the hassle in fantasy leagues. Yeldon should vacuum up most of the work against the Cowboys on Sunday. It’s possible Charles’ stay in Jacksonville is short.

Charles touched the ball just 92 times last season with the Broncos, and he did not draw much interest on the open market this offseason. He is nearing the end, but he could offer Jacksonville some veteran depth until Leonard Fournette returns. Jacksonville will also work out Charcandrick West.

Coach Todd Haley confirmed the news Monday. Charles is just 24 years old with under 500 career carries worth of wear on his tires, so he’s probably a better bet to return at close to 100 percent from this kind of injury. His recovery will be a big story all next offseason. No timetable for Charles’ surgery has been announced, and we haven’t heard whether his ACL tear was clean or involved other ligaments. He remains a long-term hold in Dynasty leagues, but the Chiefs will have to acquire another running back next spring.

Updates on Berry’s progress have been few and far between since he tore up his knee in Week 1 last season, but he’s joined teammates Jamaal Charles (torn ACL) and Tony Moeaki (torn ACL) in being forecasted to be ready for the beginning of camp. It’s possible Berry will even get in some work at Chiefs OTAs. Barring a setback, he’ll be all systems go for Week 1 in 2012.

“He’s shown he can do everything. He can catch. He can run. He can block,” said Crennel. “He might line up at fullback, he might line up at running back. There might be times where he’ll be in the backfield with Jamaal (Charles) or Dexter McCluster.” While the signing makes plenty of sense for the Chiefs, the fantasy values and consistent production of Hillis and Charles will both suffer in 2012.

Charles says he’s doing hard running already, but suspects the Chiefs trainers won’t allow that during OTAs, instead waiting for training camp. It’s been seven months since the injury, so Charles is progressing at a rate that gives him a great chance of suiting up in Week 1. Either way, expect newly-signed Peyton Hillis to be heavily involved early on in the season.