Chiefs NFL Odds Slashed as Jamaal Charles Sidelines

In the NFL, even the slightest injury to a star player can make the headlines: which is exactly what happened when Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was sidelined from pre-season practice Monday.

Jamaal's Right Foot

The Pro Bowl running back had his right foot looked at by two orthopaedic surgeons, who confirmed that he had suffered a mild strain. The Chiefs are clearly not taking any risks with less than a month to go till the NFL season starts, pulling Charles from training for an indefinite period of time.

One possible reason for all the hype around Charles' injury is the rumor that he has suffered a Lisfranc fracture, a mid-foot injury that plagued ex-Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. However, Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder hosed down speculation, saying that "he doesn't have any discomfort there."

Odds Are Not Good

The Chiefs were hoping to start the 2013 NFL season strongly following a disastrous 2012 campaign in which they tied (with Jacksonville) for the National Football League's worst regular season record - two wins and 14 losses. If William Hill Sports' odds are any indication, this season will be a slight improvement - the Chiefs are 66/1, ahead of seven teams.

These are currently the leading clubs in Hill's NFL title online betting odds: Denver Broncos, 6/1, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, 8/1, New England Patriots, 9/1, Green Bay Packers, 12/1, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints, 16/1, defending champs Baltimore Ravens, 20/1, and all other clubs 25/1 or over.