Chiefs notes: Team plays it safe with running back Jamaal Charles

Spencer Ware led the Chiefs in rushing with 77 yards in 17 attempts in a 27-21 win over the Saints on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, with Charcandrick West getting four attempts and Tyreek Hill two on jet sweeps.

Jamaal Charles got one rushing attempt. It was from a power set, running behind fullback Anthony Sherman, that went for no gain.

But Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Charles, who has appeared in three games after missing the first three of the season, wasn’t going to see much action Sunday, especially after Ware was having success.

“Things were going OK, so I kind of let it ride there,” Reid said. “His knee puffed up a little this week, and I’m trying to be as careful as we can with him … and with him in my ear wanting to play.”

The Chiefs emerged from Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the Saints at Arrowhead Stadium in relative good health.

Injury report

Reserve wide receiver Demarcus Robinson suffered a forearm contusion and offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz aggravated an ankle sprain.

Robinson had a big special-teams play on punt coverage. He flew downfield and dropped the Saints’ Tommylee Lewis at the 4. The Saints got to midfield but couldn’t sustain the drive just before halftime.

Among those in the inactive list was cornerback Phillip Gaines. He was a limited participant in practice this week.

This story was originally published October 23, 2016 at 7:54 PM with the headline "Chiefs notes: Team plays it safe with running back Jamaal Charles."