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KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 1 (UPI) -- UPDATE: Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles will likely miss the Chiefs' season-opening game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, coach Andy Reid said Friday.
[text] => Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles will likely miss the Chiefs' season-opening game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, coach Andy Reid said Friday. Charles will be listed as doubtful on Kansas City's injury report.
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Charles has been recovering from the major knee injury he suffered last October. He returned to practice in mid-August but isn't considered fully healthy.
"He's probably not going to play," Reid told reporters.
Spencer Ware is the likely starter with Charcandrick West and Knile Davis also available.
"They'll all play," Reid said. "We have some personnel groupings so we'll see how that goes. You could probably say that (Ware will start) but it depends on the personnel groups so don't hold me accountable."
Charles suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 11. The belief that was he would be recovered in time for training camp but that didn't occur.
Charles didn't play a single snap in the preseason.
The 29-year-old has topped 1,000 yards rushing in five of his eight NFL seasons. He is Kansas City's all-time rushing leader with 7,220 yards.
As you head into your fantasy football draft, or even if you have already drafted, there is important news out of Kansas City.
According to ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher, running back Jamaal Charles won't start for the Chiefs in Week 1.
"If he plays it won't be a lot," Teicher told SiriusXM Fantasy. "He certainly won't be the starter.
Teicher reported Tuesday that Charles hasn't regained the role" of "full-time featured back."
After tearing his ACL last season, Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West filled in more than adequately for four-time Pro-Bowl selection.
Charles averaged 108.2 yards from scrimmage and a score in five games in 2015 for the Chiefs. West piled up 848 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in 15 games for the Chiefs. Ware had 418 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. The duo should both be drafted in the later rounds, especially if you decide to draft wide receivers early or if you select Charles, who was previously going in the second round. Charles moves down in UPI's top 150 ranked players for the 2016 fantasy football season.
Charles didn't play in the Chiefs preseason game last weekend. A few weeks ago, Topeka Capital-Journal Chiefs beat writer Matt Derrick reported that the team was given Charles work "faster than expected."
The Chiefs kick off 2016 with a Sept. 11 matchup against the San Diego Chargers.
