The Kansas City Chiefs fear that Jamaal Charles has an ACL injury and the team has brought in Pierre Thomas and Ben Tate for free agent workouts heading into Week 6. The team currently has Charcandrick West and Knile Davis as options on the roster for fantasy football owners as quick replacements heading into next Sunday.
Charles is one of the top running backs in the league and he was forced to leave the game on Sunday in Week 5 after going down with a knee injury. According to NFL.com, the initial fears for the Chiefs is that Charles has a torn right ACL and that would mean he is out for the season. Adam Schefter at ESPN.com reports that Pierre Thomas is coming in for a workout for the Chiefs, while Pro Football Talk previoulsy reported that Ben Tate is working out for the team. UPDATE: Charles officially has a torn ACL.
Thomas could be a nice fit for the Chiefs, as he has experience being a pass catcher out of the back field and that is something that Charles excels at. Thomas was let go by the Saints and almost had a deal with the Texans earlier in the summer before that fell through. Tate comes in after playing for the Browns last season and getting cut before getting time with the Vikings and the Steelers and he remains a free agent on the market along with Thomas, Steven Jackson and other veterans.
Charcandrick West is a solid fantasy football pickup for Charles, as the Chiefs have been using him more than Davis this season to spell Charles. The Chiefs may end up signing a free agent, but for this week West is a solid option to come in for fantasy owners for Charles. Jason Cole at Bleacher Report writes that Andy Reid likes West as the main backup, but that both Knile Davis and West should end up getting work.
West come sin with 12 rushes for 48 yards this season and he doesn't have much experience overall compared to Davis and Charles. Davis has 11 rushes for 27 yards this season and last year he had his best season, rushing for a career best 463 yards and six touchdowns along with 16 catches for 147 yards. The Chiefs like to run the ball and losing Charles would be a major loss for the team.
Check here for more on the Chiefs, Charles and the free agents.