Injury-riddled Jacksonville Jaguars signed former all-pro star Jamaal Charles to a one-year deal on Wednesday, the team announced.
The Jaguars were without a running back after No.3 pick Corey Grant was sidelined with a Lisfranc injury on his left foot. Grant was injured in Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the City Chiefs, leaving the T.J. Yeldon as the Jaguars’ only quality, healthy running back. Jacksonville’ other alternative is little-known Brandon Wilds, but the 26-year-old has only logged 40 yards in 30 carries for four seasons.
Charles previously played for the Kansa Chiefs and was one of the best running backs in the league at his peak. The 31-year-old has peaked 1,000 yards for five seasons, totaled 7,556 rushing yards and 44 rushing touchdowns in the last ten years. He’s only played 117 games out of a possible 165, ranking him seventh for yards and 16th for rushing touchdowns.
After injuries took a toll on his last year, Charles remained unsigned at the beginning of the 2018/19 season. The running back is obviously past his prime, but the Jaguars are in dire need of a quality running back. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry with Denver. A similar performance this season could at least relieve Yeldon the pressure he gets as the Jaguars’ only reliable running back.
