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Chiefs' Andy Reid talks about Knile Davis's role in 2014

Knile Davis is coming back from a broken leg and Andy Reid expects him to take on more in 2014.

Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 300 touches, including a career high 339 combined carries (259) and receptions (70). Outside of his 2011 ACL season, Charles has not had any major injury issues. Despite that, I'm always one to wonder how much is too much when it comes to him getting hit.

Perhaps the Chiefs are wondering the same. Andy Reid talked to the media at the NFL Combine on Thursday and said that they hope to get backup Knile Davis even more involved next year.

"Knile was a rookie and he was learning every week and getting better every week. As the season went on we were able to give him the ball a little bit more. Coming into this season we'll be able to mix it up a little bit better than what we did early in the season last year."

Reid also told the KC Star's Terez Paylor that Davis should be ready for OTAs after breaking his leg in the playoff loss to the Colts.

Davis had 70 rushing attempts this season, which is more than I thought without looking, but 27 of them came in Week 17 when the starters were out and 18 in the playoff game when Jamaal Charles went down. It's not a stretch to think he'll have to replace Charles for a game next season so those are good numbers to build on for next season.

On the one hand, I want to keep an eye on Jamaal's health. That's obviously so, so critical to this team. So it makes sense that Davis gets more involved. On the other hand, I'm not all that comfortable with a plan that takes the ball out of the hands of the best player. Not sure if you noticed but Chiefs fans are kiiinda addicted to Jamaal Charles touching the ball.

There's a middle ground somewhere here. Maybe you just run Jamaal Charles as you normally do but be more liberal in deciding when you bring in Knile Davis for mop-up duty. Assuming, you know, the Chiefs are blowing everyone out next year.

So, how should the Chiefs approach Knile Davis's role next season?

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