The offense of the Kansas City Chiefs vanished in Sunday's 35-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was among the missing.
Charles carried the ball only twice in the second half, which coach Romeo Crennel attributed to soreness in the running back's surgically repaired knee.
Crennel told Adam Teicher of The Kansas City Star that Charles should be ready to play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but after just three yards on six carries against the Bills, we're learning to temper our expectations.
Minor setbacks are customary on the road back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and we might not see Charles' speed or power return for weeks. His 90 yards on 22 carries over two games -- almost all of it in Week 1 -- don't stir the imagination, but the Saints have helped the sick get healthy this season, allowing a league-worst 186 rushing yards per game.
The Chiefs are under heavy fire following an 0-2 start that has local beat writers questioning everything from general manager Scott Pioli's brain power to Romeo Crennel's play-calling ability on defense.
Charles is the least of their worries.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.