Jamaal Charles injury: Chiefs RB out with concussion

The Chiefs will be without Jamaal Charles for the remainder of the game after he sustained a concussion early in the first quarter.

By James Dator Updated Jan 4, 2014, 5:44pm EST

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles left the NFL's opening wild card game against the Indianapolis Colts early in the first quarter with what was later officially ruled a concussion.

The team made an official announcement that Charles would not return to the game.

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Charles was carrying the ball early in the first quarter when he went down while getting tackled, taking a hit up high from DT Jeris Pendleton while he was on his way to the ground. It wasn't immediately clear what happened, but video replay showed the running back hit the ground hard with his head whipping against the turf. He remained down on the field for some time before being helped to the sideline with the assistance of team trainers.

The Chiefs offense isn't missing a beat with him off the field. Instead the team is leaning on a deep ball offense punctuated with short running. Charles was the team's best offensive player in 2013, instrumental in the running and receiving game. Knile Davis is getting the lion's share of carries in Charles' absence, and it's unclear how the young player will fare given the new stage.