The Chiefs have officially listed RB Jamaal Charles (knee) as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chargers. "He's probably not going to play," HC Andy Reid confirmed. Charles did put in 3 limited practice this week, suggesting he has a shot to make his 2016 debut in Week 2. RB Spencer Ware is the odds-on favorite to lead Kansas City's backfield in touches this weekend, but RB Charcandrick West will also be involved.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid suggested Monday that RB Jamaal Charles (knee) is unlikely to play in this weekend's opener against the Chargers. "I think it's a stretch for him to play on Sunday," Reid said. Reports on Charles' status have gotten progressively more negative over the past week. Owners shouldn't plan on using him for Week 1, and it might be October before he's a full-go. Spencer Ware will serve as Kansas City's lead back in the opener, with RB Charcandrick West playing in passing situations. We'll have our Week 1 projections posted on Wednesday.

ESPN's Adam Teicher isn't "100% sure" Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles (knee) will play Week 1. "If he plays it won't be a lot... he certainly won't be the starter," Teicher said on SiriusXM radio on Tuesday. "Charles isn't doing a whole lot in practice. He's getting some work but not the full load. It's not the Chiefs style to give a guy very little work and then give him the ball 25 times. When he's ready to go Charles will get the majority of the work. Now when that point comes, if it comes is another story." This comes a day after Teicher wrote that Charles is "behind schedule" in his rehab. And that came after an offseason of mostly positive reports. We're not completely sure what to makes of Charles' status right now and are hoping to hear from other Chiefs insiders on his status. He certainly looks riskier in fantasy drafts now than he did just a few days ago, though. We've bumped him down the RB rankings. Spencer Ware could be in for a significant early-season role.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles is "behind schedule" in his rehab from last year's torn ACL, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. Charles was expected to be ready for the start of training camp, as Teicher notes, but started on the PUP list and still isn't a full-go. HC Andy Reid wouldn't say that Charles is behind schedule, but he did sound cautious. “For Jamaal, it’s [a matter of] getting trust in the leg," Reid said. “Every day he does a little but more and a little bit more and his cuts are a little bit sharper. It’s just a matter of time and we’re OK there. We’re OK with that." We haven't heard any indication that Charles won't be ready for Week 1, but it certainly sounds like his workload will be limited. Consider him more of a RB2 early on. RB Spencer Ware, meanwhile, "gets a lot of the starter’s snaps in practice," per Teicher. He could open the season with a significant role, especially in the red zone.

With RB Jamaal Charles held out of the Chiefs' preseason opener, RB Spencer Ware drew the start. He played Kansas City's first 2 possessions, racking up 24 yards and a score on 5 totes. RB Charcandrick West entered in the 2nd quarter and finished with 4 carries for 35 yards. We heard earlier this summer that Ware was the Chiefs' #2 RB, and this usage backs that up. We'd still bet on some type of committee if Charles misses time this year, but Ware is the preferred handcuff.

Chiefs insider Adam Teicher considers Spencer Ware the team's #2 RB, ahead of Charcandrick West. Teicher adds, though, that both guys will play if RB Jamaal Charles goes down again. West operated as the primary back sans Charles last year, out-touching Ware 166 to 78. Ware was more effective, though, averaging 5.6 yards per carry to West's 4.0. Neither guy will be a reliable fantasy option as long as Charles is healthy. And they'll cap each others' upside if Charles gets hurt again.

The Chiefs have signed RBs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware to contract extensions.  Some might take it as a sign that RB Jamaal Charles' rehab isn't going well, but it's much more likely that Kansas City is simply planning for life after J-Chaz.  West and Ware were an effective duo for the Chiefs after Charles went down last year, with the former catching 20 balls and scoring 5 times and the latter averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 6 TDs.  “Charcandrick and Spencer both stepped in and were very effective for us offensively last year,” GM John Dorsey said. “These guys have different styles and abilities, and together they provide us quality depth at the running back position.”  Charles turned 29 in December and is signed through the 2017 campaign.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ankle) is active for today's game against the Chiefs.  He put in a full practice on Friday and should be available for his usual role.  Ware's workload and production will hinge on Kansas City's ability to keep it close and ride the run game.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Patriots.  He put in a limited practice on Thursday and was a full-go on Friday.  Ware should be available for his usual role this weekend.  He's carried 16 times in 2 straight but could fall short of that mark on Saturday if Kansas City falls behind.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Thursday.  He's on track to play against the Patriots this weekend, although a full workout on Friday would make us feel better about his fantasy outlook.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ankle) missed his 2nd straight practice on Wednesday.  We still don't know much about his injury, but he can no longer be considered a lock to be ready for Saturday's game against the Patriots.  Check back tomorrow for another update.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware did not practice on Tuesday with what HC Andy Reid labeled a sprained ankle.  We're guessing it's a minor one because Ware led the backfield in carries (16) and snap rate (60%) in last weekend's win over the Texans.  He even carried twice on Kansas City's last possession.  We'll continue to track Ware's status but would be surprised if he doesn't play against the Patriots this weekend.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ribs) is active for today’s game against the Browns. He put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and shouldn’t be limited in this one. Ware is a RB3 with upside in the plus matchup.

Winds of 23-28 mph are expected for today's Browns-Chiefs game.  That's certainly enough to impact the passing games, although neither team has much of a downfield attack.  Kansas City figures to go even more run-heavy than usual.  Downgrade WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce a tad, but both are still fine fantasy starters.  Browns TE Gary Barnidge remains a solid play.

Chiefs WR Spencer Ware (ribs) is probable for this weekend’s game against the Browns after putting in full practices on Thursday and Friday. Ware shouldn’t be limited at all, but we’re expecting him to serve as the lesser-half of a committee with Charcandrick West. Ware looks like a TD-dependent RB3 or flex. West is a RB2 with upside.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ribs) is active for today’s game against Ravens. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen says Kansas City will “try not to use him,” though. Ware shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups. RB Charcandrick West should flirt with 20 touches.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that there's a "good chance" Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ribs) plays against the Ravens today.  He's dealing with separated cartilage in his ribs, an issue that usually comes down to pain tolerance.  It's unclear just how much action Ware would be able to handle, so he'd b an extremely risky fantasy play.  His presence would put a dent in RB Charcandrick West's upside, although West would remain the better bet for touches and the superior fantasy play.

Chiefs RB Spencer Ware (ribs) is questionable for this weekend's game against the Ravens.  He sat out the first 2 practices of the week but returned to a limited workout on Friday.  "He did a nice job," HC Andy Reid.  Ware's availability for Sunday's game remains uncertain, and he could be limited even if he plays.  He's not a recommended Week 15 fantasy starter.  RB Charcandrick West will be a high-end RB2 if Ware sits and a low-end RB2 if he plays.