AP Exclusive: Chiefs' Charles vows to be back next season

For the second time in five seasons, one of the most dynamic players in the NFL had torn the ACL in his knee.

The Chiefs do not allow injured players to speak to reporters at their facility, but Charles agreed to discuss his surgery, recovery and the road back with The Associated Press.

[...] while Charles had taken countless hits since tearing the ACL in his left knee at Detroit in 2011, and almost every time popped right back up, it was a play that didn't even involve contact that took him down.

After recovering from his first knee injury, he came back to run for a career-best 1,509 yards.

[...] the game against Chicago.

What they were doing when I was there, they could still be doing it.

[...] Charles said, it ain't me.

Charles basically spends his time rehabbing his knee, playing video games — "Destiny" is his title du jour — and spending time with his family, all while wishing he could contribute on the field.

Charles turns 30 next season, ancient for running backs in the modern NFL.

In other words, Charles intends to earn the $5.75 million in salary and bonuses he is due next season, part of a contract extension signed with Kansas City prior to last season.