Jamaal Charles Likely Out for Season: Fantasy Impact
Kansas City Chiefs star running back Jamaal Charles is likely out for the season with a torn ACL, according to a report.
ESPN, citing an anonymous source, reported that Charles suffered a torn ACL during the team's game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday and that his season is over. Charles is expected to go for a MRI on Monday.
Charles, who rushed for 1,467 yards last season, was heading towards a first down mark in the first quarter when he appeared to awkwardly lunge and immediately grabbed his left knee in pain.
Charles would leave the game and soon word spread that the injury was a serious one. The fourth-year running back from the University of Texas was expected to improve upon last year's Pro Bowl season, but now it looks likely that his season is done.
I don't know the extent of his injury, but it's a terrible loss for us, for our team, Chiefs running back Thomas Jones told reporters after the game. If Jamaal's gone for the year, guys have to step up.
For the Chiefs, this is another massive blow to an already struggling team. The Chiefs have already lost tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry for the year, and the loss of Charles could be the straw that breaks coach Todd Haley's back.
Fantasy Football Analysis: Losing Charles for the season is a major blow to fantasy football owners. Charles was one of the first five players taken in almost all fantasy drafts and his injury could spell doom for those players that own Charles on their teams.
Charles already lost carries to veteran Thomas Jones, but still managed to put up monster numbers last season. In the short term, owners should try to pick up Dexter McCluster if they don't already own him and/or Thomas Jones.
Jones actually got more carries than Charles last year and certainly has some value, but McCluster appeared to be the more effective primary offensive threat in the Chiefs loss on Sunday. McCluster rushed for 51 yards on eight carries and is similar to Charles in possessing the home run threat capability.
The Chiefs offense has looked rather pitiful in putting up a combined 10 points in their first two games, but McCluster is a need for all Charles owners and a good pickup for non-Charles owners. He won't put up anywhere near the numbers Charles put up last year, but he could provide a decent stop gap while you scour the markets for other pickups and approach other league owners with trade offers.
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