After the Kansas City Chiefs finished their 10th full-team practice of this year's training camp Tuesday morning, for the first time in a while, the name "Jamaal Charles" was brought up at a media opportunity.
Charles underwent surgery last October to repair his torn right ACL and has yet to practice this training camp.
So, how is he exactly?
"JC has been doing great," Charcandrick West said at the post-practice press conference. "He's just getting better each and every day. Like I said, nobody's worried about JC. He's done this a lot, so he's going to be ready."
Despite not yet taking the field, the 29-year-old Charles is currently in St. Joseph with the rest of the team, continuing to rehab while he attends each and every running backs film session.
"He sits in the meetings," co-offensive coordinator Brad Childress said. "I know those guys lean on him in the locker room and talk to him, and he shares things that he sees, not unlike what a backup quarterback does with a guy that's a starter."
And according to West, the guidance Charles provides to a RB room with the average age of 25 extends past what happens on the field.
"Not even football—just in life, period," West added. "He's always helping. Jamaal is a real true leader."
While Charles hasn't been on the field, those he is quietly guiding—West, Spencer Ware, Knile Davis and Darrin Reaves—have taken his lead.
"They all bring a little something different to the table," Childress said. "They're all competing extremely hard. Knile has had a great camp … I've seen Reaves get a lot better and then I think Charcandrick and Spencer compete every day."
West provides quickness to go along with his shifty moves to dash between defenders. Ware serves the team as a bruiser who has a second gear of acceleration and Davis looks to be a utility back with a stronghold on the team's No. 1 kick returner position, according to special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
"It's a nice predicament to have," Childress added.
The team will have an opportunity to gain more information on their "running back predicament" this coming Saturday, when the Chiefs take on the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Thus far, the coaching staff and personnel have only been able to see the backs against their own defense, which has been just as impressed with their ability.
"The running backs are good," defensive tackle Dontari Poe said on Tuesday. "They're real quick. A couple of times, we've had blocks under control and they kind of dip you in and out."
Off the field, you would be hard pressed to find a closer position group on the team.
"We feel like we're one of the best as far as chemistry and bonding," West said. "We're probably one of the best groups in the NFL with that because if somebody needs help, nobody throws anyone else under the bus. Everybody is helping each other. Everybody wants to see everybody get better."
Charles included.
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