Chiefs release RB Charles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs released fourtime Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles on Tuesday, clearing more than $ 6 million in salary cap space that they used to sign safety Eric Berry and offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay- Tardif to long- term extensions.

Even though the move made business sense, it was still somewhat bittersweet.

Charles ran for 7,260 yards and 43 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Chiefs, and will finish as the franchise’s career rushing leader. But a career that looked as if it would land Charles in the Hall of Fame has been derailed the past few years by injuries that have cut short seasons in his prime.

He tore his left ACL while taking an awkward step out of bounds in Detroit in 2011. He tore his right ACL against Chicago four years later. And after missing the start of last season, Charles returned to play in only three games, carrying 12 times for 40 yards, before requiring more operations on his knees.

The uncertainty about his future made it impossible for the Chiefs to swallow his salary.

While the Chiefs could try to sign him to a cheaper, incentiveladen contract, a person familiar with Charles’ thinking said there is “no chance” he plays in Kansas City next year. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss such details.

Charles said he hopes to sign somewhere where he can compete for a starting job.

Charles was selected in the third round of the 2008 draft out of Texas, but spent his first season in the league as a role player. By his second season, he had moved into the starting lineup, and responded by putting together the first of his five 1,000- yard seasons.

He was voted an All- Pro in 2010, making his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He ran for a career- best 1,509 yards two years later, and was voted All- Pro again the next year, when he ran for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns in what might go down as the finest season of his career.