Chiefs' Jamaal Charles ends up on IR

— -- The Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday placed running back Jamaal Charles on injured reserve, a league source told ESPN's Field Yates.

Charles began having soreness in his surgically repaired right knee two weeks ago, leading up to the Chiefs' Week 7 game against the New Orleans Saints.

The move to IR means he will miss at least eight weeks.

Charles, who turns 30 in December, could conceivably return for the final two games of the season and the playoffs, if the Chiefs reach the postseason. But given the continued setbacks he has had since tearing his ACL last October, a return seems unlikely.

Charles was unable to return for practice at the start of training camp, as the Chiefs thought he would. Once he did return, Charles did little at practice for several weeks. His first game action of the season came in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he never regained his role as the full-time featured back.

This season, Charles has played in three games with 12 carries for 40 yards and two receptions for 14 yards. He scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders on a 4-yard run.

Charles didn't play in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts after experiencing soreness in the knee. He went to see noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews on Monday, according to coach Andy Reid.

Charles' contract with the Chiefs runs through 2017. He is scheduled to make $3,750,000 next season with a roster bonus of $3 million.