The Kansas City Chiefs and their fans watching received a big scare when Jamaal Charles was forced to leave the game after a devastating head injury. He was not able to return to the game, and soon after he left, it was revealed that he had suffered a concussion.
Jamaal Charles is the starting running back for the Chiefs, and one of the top rushers in the league. Watching him go down on the first drive of the Chiefs’ wild card playoff game was a big loss to the team.
He had only three carries in the carries in the game, before leaving due to a concussion. Although the team originally stated that Charles was questionable to return while he underwent evaluation in the locker room, they downgraded him to an “out” status shortly after.
Jamaal Charles will not return to today's game. #Chiefs #KCvsIND pic.twitter.com/FwpfCFa05f
— Kansas City Chiefs (@KCChiefs) January 4, 2014
Despite the fact that the Chiefs gained a big lead in the first half, they lost it in the end during an incredible comeback by Andrew Luck. Even with 3 interceptions, Luck was not discouraged, and by the end of the game, he passed for 443 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Chiefs had the lead 31-10 at halftime, but a wild second half saw the Colts mount an impressive comeback, and win 45-44 one of the highest scoring games in the history of the NFL playoffs. It was also the second-largest comeback in a playoff game.
No Jamaal Charles, no problem. Chiefs are ROLLING in the first half, up 31-10.
Alex Smith: 13-21, 214 yards, 3 TD; 5 carries, 40 Rush yards
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2014
Even with @jcharles25 out my @KCChiefs are rockin'!! #ChiefsKingdom
— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) January 4, 2014
On the play that he was injured, Jamaal Charles was tackled by Colts cornerback Greg Toler and then knocked to the turf by defensive tackle Jeris Pendleton.
Although the Chiefs had a big lead at the beginning of the second half, without Jamaal Charles, they were not able to milk the clock, and continued to play as if the game were even.
Things were not going well for the running game of the Kansas City Chiefs, and with a little “Luck” on their side, it seemed that the Colts were determined to win the game. After defeating the Chiefs, the Colts will meet either the Broncos or the Patriots, depending on who wins today’s game between the Chargers and Bengals.
After Jamaal Charles left the game, he was replaced by Knile Davis. Davis is a rookie running back who has not had much playing time with Charles on the team, and later left the game with an injury of his own.
Jamaal Charles accounted for an NFL-high 35.3% of the Chiefs' offensive yards this year.
In other words: if he's out, KC's in trouble.
— ESPN (@espn) January 4, 2014
Image via Facebook