Chiefs' Jamaal Charles might be ‘ahead of schedule,’ GM says

The Chiefs may have taken off following running back Jamaal Charles' a torn anterior crucial ligament — they went 10-1 the rest of the season after he got hurt in early October — but general manager John Dorsey is counting on him being healthy and playing for them in 2016.

“I think he may be ahead of schedule in terms of his rehabilitation,” Dorsey said. “I mean, the guy is an extremely talented player, love him to death, love how dirty tough he is.

“I mean, yeah. He's a Chief.”

The Chiefs' running game actually came alive once Charles got hurt, as they averaged more rushing yards per game — 135.9, fifth in the league — in 11 regular-season games with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware handling the load than they did in the previous 37 under coach Andy Reid (122.2) with Charles shouldering the load.

The running ability of quarterback Alex Smith had something to do with that — he is among the league’s best when it comes to tucking the ball and running, and his 498 rushing yards in the regular season ranked fourth among all quarterbacks — but the dynamic duo of West, who rushed for a team-high 634 yards and four touchdowns in 160 carries, and Ware, who has 403 yards and six touchdowns in a mere 72 carries, also did its part.

The potential is there for a very strong trio, provided Charles — who rushed for 364 yards and four touchdowns on 71 carries this year — returns healthy.

Dorsey did not clarify when asked if his optimism means Charles will be participating in any way during training camp.

“That's more of a medical assessment,” Dorsey said. “If they say he's ahead of schedule, then I believe he's ahead of schedule, which is a positive for this organization.”

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Chiefs' Jamaal Charles might be ‘ahead of schedule,’ GM says."