Ex-Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles agrees with rival Broncos

ByABC News
May 2, 2017, 5:45 PM

— -- ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos took a long look at Jamaal Charles' knees Tuesday and deemed him healthy enough to add to their roster, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The one-year deal is worth up to $3.75 million, sources told Schefter.

Charles, who played in just three games last season because of knee troubles, spent a big part of the day at the Broncos' complex in suburban Denver as he was given an extensive exam by the team's medical staff.

Charles, who will turn 31 in December, will not be the Broncos' primary carrier, the Broncos believe he can be an impactful situational player for a team that finished 28th in the league in rushing last season.

Charles, who tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in October of 2015 and struggled with knee troubles last season. He had just 12 rushing attempts in the 2016 season before the Chiefs put him on injured reserve in November.

He then had arthroscopic surgery on both knees and that prompted the moved to injured reserve. The Chiefs could have likely activated Charles and moved him to the active roster for their final regular-season game, but chose not to.

Charles was then released after the season. Charles also tore his left ACL in 2011, but the Broncos believed if they got a favorable medical report he could contribute if his playing time was parceled out effectively.

Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway and coach Vance Joseph have made no secret they are looking for more potential big-play pop at running back. Their projected No. 1 back at the moment -- C.J. Anderson -- is coming off knee surgery while Devontae Booker had a productive rookie season.

The Broncos also signed former Ravens running back Bernard Pierce as a "futures" player this past January. They then traded Kapri Bibbs to the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend and selected Coastal Carolina running back De'Angelo Henderson Saturday.

Henderson, who ran a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, is the fastest of the team's backs.

Charles has four 100-yard rushing games against the Broncos in his career, including a 259-yard effort during the 2010 season.