The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed Monday that running back Jamaal Charles tore his left ACL during Sunday's loss to Detroit. Charles has been placed on injured reserve, meaning his season is officially over. Charles was injured while running out of bounds during the first quarter. He seemed to take a couple of awkward steps before falling and rolling into the Lions' mascot. Charles writhed on the ground in obvious pain and had to be carted off the field. Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster handled most of the rushing work without Charles. Jones had 12 carries for 40 yards. McCluster carried the ball eight times for 51 yards and caught four passes for minus-two yards. He also lost a fumble, his second of the season.

Fantasy Analysis:

With this news, the Chiefs' season might as well be over; the same can be said for many fantasy teams. Charles' recovery could take anywhere from 9-12 months or longer. He'll be a prominent high-risk, high-reward pick in re-draft leagues next year.
As far as 2011 goes, the carries look to be split among Thomas and McCluster with Le'Ron McClain getting a spare touch here and there. I think Thomas will end up getting the majority of the carries and most of the goal-like chances, but McCluster obviously faster, quicker and more versatile. He's a much better pickup in a PPR league, and I think I would rather have him than Thomas in standard leagues as well. McCluster is like Jamaal Charles-lite. If he can stop fumbling, he'll get more touches and with his ability, he could become an every-week flex play.