Jamaal Charles does not want to watch Sunday's game from the sidelines again, especially in front of his former team the Kansas City Chiefs.
The two-time All-Pro running back was inactive when Denver lost to the Redskins in Week 16 as the team wanted to give rookie De'Angelo Henderson some reps. If the Broncos plan to do the same this weekend, the veteran wants the team to release him now with the hopes of landing a spot with a playoff contender.
"I ain't playing. Might as well. No reason for me to just sit around and look at people play," Charles told The Denver Post on Tuesday. "At the end of the day, I just got to see what's the future for me. That's the next step. If it's somewhere else or if somebody wants to pick me up. That's the future."
After nine seasons in Kansas City, the 30-year-old running back signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in May to share the backfield with C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker and Henderson.
"I thought we were all going to get a chance to share the ball. I never got a chance to be in the first 15, and it sucks," Charles said. "How the other running backs -- like I look around and see the Patriots share the running backs and New Orleans. You know what I'm saying? I just never got an opportunity."
Although coach Vance Joseph said the Broncos have not considered releasing Charles, the 30-year-old back has certainly thought about getting out of Denver to try to latch on with a playoff-bound team.
In 14 games, Charles recorded 69 carries for 296 yards and a touchdown, plus 129 receiving yards. But his chances have been limited.
Though he was active for the Broncos’ wins over the Jets and Colts, Charles didn’t receive a single carry. He’s averaged 15 snaps per game, or about 21 percent of the offense this season, and his 206 total snaps rank third behind Anderson and Booker.
