(USA Today Sports Images)
Jamaal Charles had a huge workload during the entire regular season, and had great luck staying healthy the whole way.
Then on the Chiefs' first drive of their first playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, he got hit hard and stayed down on the field, face first, for a few moments. He was taken to the sideline and had concussion tests done by the trainers. Then he was walked back to the locker room.
That was the worst sight imaginable for Chiefs fans. During the second quarter the Chiefs announced he was out for the game with a concussion.
Charles ran off right tackle on Kansas City's first drive against Indianapolis, cut back and as he was going down Colts defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton hit him. It didn't look bad but Charles' head may have hit the turf. He was led away from the sideline after some initial tests by trainers and went back to the locker room.
Within five minutes of the playoffs beginning, the Chiefs' biggest star was out.
Charles was an All-Pro selection because he is the biggest playmaker on an otherwise drab offense. The game-breaking back had 1,287 rushing yards, 693 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns even though he sat out the Chiefs' final regular-season game to stay healthy.
Charles entered the playoffs healthy, even after 329 regular-season touches. It didn't take long until he went down in the postseason opener and the Chiefs faced playing on without their best weapon.
Frank Schwab is the editor of
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