Jamaal Charles had a bad exchange on a handoff from Matt Cassel. The ball was on the ground for a time, but Charles fell on it.
Soon afterward Charles left the game for a short time because of what he said was a shoulder injury. He later returned to the game and finished with 56 yards in 18 carries. He caught only one pass for 3 yards.
“My shoulder came out of place,” he said. “It always happens like that (even when) I was in high school so I just put it back in (place) and kept going back in the game.
“It wasn’t that serious. It was just bruises that I’ve got to fight through.”
The Chiefs used a converted fullback, Tim Castille, and a player freshly promoted from the practice squad, Javarris Williams, in Charles’ place. Castille had 26 yards in three carries while Williams, a seventh-round draft pick, finished with minus-5 yards in his two carries.
Kolby Smith, who otherwise would have replaced Charles, was placed on the injured reserve list Saturday, ending his season.
Charles will need to heal quickly. The Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, and with their passing game ailing, they’ll no doubt lean heavily on Charles once again.
Bills news
