INDIANAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Chiefs lost running back Jamaal Charles and wide receiver Donnie Avery during Saturday's wild-card game at Indianapolis.
Charles and Avery were ruled out for the rest of the game, while cornerback Brandon Flowers was considered questionable as he underwent evaluation for a concussion.
Charles was hurt on his third carry of the game and stayed down on the ground for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power. Team trainers tended to him on the sideline, doing what appeared to be concussion tests, before walking with Charles into the locker room. Team officials later ruled out a return by their top offensive player.
The sixth-year running back led the AFC in rushing with 1,287 yards, and led the Chiefs (11-5) with 70 receptions for 693 yards and seven TDs. His 19 total touchdowns were tops in the NFL.
Things got worse in the second half.
Avery, who caught a 79-yard TD pass in the first half, was diagnosed with a concussion early in the second half and was ruled out of the game, too. He finished the day with three receptions against his former team.
Then, as the Colts rallied in the third quarter, Flowers was injured on a 3-yard screen pass as he tried to prevent Donald Brown from scoring a touchdown. Flowers stayed down on the ground as teammates huddled around him and coach Andy Reid walked to the goal line.
