Chiefs' Reid: Charles unlikely to play Week 1

Jamaal Charles' return may have to wait at least another week.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Monday that it'd be "a stretch" for the star running back to play in Sunday's season opener against the San Diego Chargers.

Charles was brought along slowly during the offseason as he worked his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2015 campaign.

He made enough progress to be activated from the physically unable to perform list in mid-August, and his practice workload consistently increased thereafter, but he was held out of all four preseason games.

Spencer Ware appears to be the top candidate to lead the team in carries for the time being, with Charcandrick West and Knile Davis also seeing their share of opportunities in rotation.

Kansas City's efforts to avoid rushing Charles back could conceivably extend a few weeks into the season, but he should have every opportunity to re-establish himself as the centerpiece of the offense when he's cleared.