The Kansas City Chiefs will finish their season without the help of running back Jamaal Charles.
The team on Wednesday activated linebacker Justin March-Lillard off injured reserve, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. With the 23-year-old defender serving as Kansas City's designated-to-return player, Charles is officially done for the year.
Charles was hoping to suit up in time for the playoffs after undergoing a knee procedure in November. In the end, though, the Chiefs opted for more depth at inside linebacker, with March-Lillard set to help fill the void of Derrick Johnson, who was lost for the year with an Achilles' injury.
While the Chiefs have survived the absence of Charles -- who appeared in just three games this season -- the offense has crossed the 100-yard barrier on the ground just twice since Week 7.
Spencer Ware has led the way, but his 4.3 yards per carry are down from last year's spicy 5.6 figure. Charcandrick West is another adequate fill-in, but it's possible the team will dial up more backfield touches for dazzling rookie triple-threat Tyreek Hill, who took his lone carry against the Titans on Sunday a whopping 68 yards to the house.
It would have been nice to have a healthy Charles back in the fold, but it was never a sure thing. Neither is the running back's roster spot for 2017.
