KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jamaal Charles practiced in a limited capacity Friday for the second straight day, raising hopes that the Chiefs’ Pro Bowl running back will be available for Sunday’s game in Miami.
Charles sustained a high ankle sprain in last week’s loss to Denver.
“He looked a little sore,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, “but he did OK. He worked yesterday (Thursday). He loosened up, kind of went as it went. We’ll just see how he does.”
Charles did not practice Wednesday, and it was feared that the injury could keep him out of the lineup for several weeks.
But he told Reid that he wanted to try practicing on Thursday, and he wound up splitting time with the first-team offense and the scout team.
He remains listed as questionable. If Charles is limited or unable to play, the bulk of the carries would go to second-year pro Knile Davis, who played well last week.
The 5-foot-10, 227-pound Davis ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns against Denver.
“He’s a guy as we saw last week in the football game when two-five went down,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said, “came in and had an outstanding game. He’s understanding his role and that’s a big part of what he does.”
Davis offered a glimpse of his value in the final week last season, when the Chiefs rested Charles and most of their starters in a meaningless game for them. He ended up carrying 27 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns in a close loss in San Diego.
Davis reinforced his importance as Charles’ primary backup in the playoffs, when he ran for 67 yards and two touchdowns after Charles sustained a concussion.
“One year makes a huge difference,” said Davis, the Chiefs’ third-round pick a year ago. “I’ve learned the game, I’m comfortable now. I’m just ready to go.”
Even though he’s a big, physical running back, and Charles is quick and elusive, Reid said he doesn’t anticipate having to make any major adjustments to the game plan.
That’s helpful considering it appears Charles will be a game-time decision.
“I don’t think it would change much from what you saw (Sunday),” Reid said. “He was involved in a lot of different areas. I’m not saying in number of carries. You saw him go and play a few different roles.”
The uncertainty surrounding Charles this week afforded Davis a chance to work with the first team, getting acclimated to the game plan in a way that rarely happens as a backup.
“It is a benefit to Knile because he is getting all of the reps,” Pederson said. “Offensively, you would love to have everybody and you’d love to have two-five and all that getting him the reps as well. But yeah, it is a benefit to Knile.”
While having Charles available is ideal, the Chiefs are prepared to go forward without him.
“I’m confident with the game plan we put in this week and we’re ready to roll,” Davis said. “Whole team is ready to roll, ready to go out there and execute.”

NOTES — S Eric Berry (ankle) and WR/RB De’Anthony Thomas (hamstring) have been ruled out for Miami. Reid doesn’t believe Berry’s injury is related to the right heel tendinitis that caused him to miss preseason games. “I think they’re separate deals,” Reid said. Thomas had been dealing with a hamstring injury since Sept. 3, but Reid said he did not aggravate it. “It’s fatigued and so we just backed off and said we’ll go from there,” he explained. “He didn’t reinjure, it’s just more precautionary.”