KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs plan to expand the role of injured running back Jamaal Charles at practice Thursday as they begin preparations for Monday night's game against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium.
Charles, who injured an ankle two weeks ago, was a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday last week but didn't play in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
Plans for two other injured players, safety Eric Berry and running back/kick returner De'Anthony Thomas, aren't as clear. Coach Andy Reid indicated on Monday that Berry and Thomas would "most likely" practice this week, but both appear less than certain to work Thursday. Berry, who also has a sprained ankle, was injured in the loss to Denver two weeks ago. Thomas, who has a strained hamstring, hasn't played in any of he three regular-season games. He practiced last week on Wednesday, but the Chiefs then shut him down for the week.
The Chiefs thrived without the three players against the Dolphins. At running back, Knile Davis ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and Joe McKnight caught two touchdown passes. Frankie Hammond Jr. had 100 yards on five punt returns. Berry was replaced by Ron Parker and the Chiefs' defense had its best game of the season.