ird period on the power play when Connor McDavid set up Letestu for a goal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jamaal Charles is ready to take the training wheels off.Those are his words, by the way.The four-time Pro Bowl running back returned to the field against Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago for the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee in Week 5 last season.But he only played 10 offensive snaps and had just two carries in what turned into a 43-14 rout .After a week off, Charles was downright ebullient when he learned he would be a full participant in practice this week. And that means he should be a full participant in Sundays game in Oakland.I feel like Im ready, he said. I told them to let the training wheels off me -- I know how to ride now. Take them off and let me ride.The Chiefs (2-2) desperately need Charles to ride like the old days.The popular narrative of the first four games of the season is that the Chiefs have been just fine with the tandem of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West.It has been espoused by everyone from coach Andy Reid to quarterback Alex Smith, and there was some substance to back up the claims after Ware played such an instrumental role in rallying Kansas City to a victory over San Diego in its opener.But the reality is that Ware has not had the same kind of impact the past three games, and West has been banged up. Third-string running back Knile Davis was also hurt in the game against the Steelers.As a result, the Chiefs are averaging just over 90 yards rushing per game, putting them 21st in the league -- a perilous imbalance for a team that cannot rely on Smith to win games with his arm.Chiefs offensive coordinator Brad Childress acknowledged Thursday that research during the bye week revealed a massive run-pass discrepancy. He said part of it had to do with the fact that Kansas City has often been playing from behind, forcing the Chiefs away from a ground-centric offensive approach.But he also admitted the Chiefs are hoping to establish the run better.Thats where Charles comes into play.All those guys have things that they do better than others, Childress said. Well kind of sprinkle him in there where we think hes most effective.Reid declined to project how much of the load Charles would carry against the Raiders, only saying that as long as there are no setbacks, hell probably do a little bit more.Charles said hes not concerned about how his knee will hold up, nor is he worried about getting hit again. He just wants to get enough carries that he can feel as if hes a part of the plan.Ive been hit my whole life. Im not worried about getting tackled, he said. I just need to get back in a game and get a rhythm and get the feeling back.Even though Charles is coming off his second surgically repaired ACL, he remains one of the most versatile and dynamic running backs in the NFL. His career average of 5.5 yards per carry tops Jim Brown for most in league history among qualifying running backs, and he is closing in on most of the franchise records he doesnt already own despite missing most of two seasons to injury.Their career rushing leader needs six receptions to pass Ed Podolak for second-most among Chiefs running backs, and he needs less than 1,300 yards to pass Tony Gonzalez for most yards from scrimmage.Those are chases that Charles is eager to resume.Its nonstop from here. Its like a snowball, you know what Im saying? Keep going down the hill, he said. Right now we have to stay on track, stay focused.Indeed, his return comes at a crucial juncture for the Chiefs. They face division rival Oakland on Sunday before a stretch of five straight games against teams with losing records.Its the perfect opportunity to make up ground on the AFC West.We have to come together as a team and dont panic, Charles said. Twelve games seems long but its very short. Its not like basketball with a hundred games. We have to just not panic and stay calm.Game notesLBs Tamba Hali (knees) and Sio Moore (flu) returned to practice Thursday. ... Moore signed last week after getting cut by Indianapolis, and has gotten up to speed quickly enough that he could play against Oakland. Im just preparing for whatever role theyre going to put me in, he said.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLSwell Water Bottle Sale Australia . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Swell Water Bottle 17 Oz . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. http://www.swellbottleaustralia.com/ . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Swell Bottle Stockists Australia . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Swell Bottle Sale Australia . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield.EDMONTON, Alberta -- Patrik Laine has scored a lot of big goals in his first NHL season, including a few game-winners.His latest was anything but.Laine shot the puck into his own net midway through the third period, costing the Winnipeg Jets in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.Edmontons Mark Letestu was credited with his second goal of the game when Laine fired the rebound of Letestus slap shot directly into his own wide-open cage.I think everybody saw what happened. Thats my comments, said the Finnish rookie, who has 17 goals in his first 32 NHL games. It was just a bad position for me. An unfortunate goal.Captain Blake Wheeler put an arm around Laine to console him when he returned to the bench.Hes 18 years old. He feels terrible, Wheeler said. These things happen. Ive done it many times.Oscar Klefbom also scored and Cam Talbot made 29 saves for the Oilers.Mathieu Perreault and Chris Thorburn had goals for the Jets, who have now lost four straight games. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 27 shots.Winnipeg started the scoring with 5:10 left in the first period. Bryan Littles tip went off the post, but Perreault got two whacks at it, eventually sweeping it in past Talbot.Edmonton came close late in the first on a power play, but Jordan Eberles one-timer hit the crossbar behind Hellebuyck.The Oilers tied the game about two minutes into the second period when a huge rebound from Tyler Pitlicks shot came to Klefbom, who hammered in his fifth of the season.Winnipeg regained the lead with 8 minutes to play in the second when Thorburn scored on a nice feed in front from Marko Dano.Edmontoon appeared to pull even again two minutes later, but Zack Kassians breakaway goal was overturned for offsides on review.ddddddddddddhe Oilers made it 2-2 2:28 into the third period on the power play when Connor McDavid set up Letestu for a goal in front.That set up Edmontons fortunate break, when Laine one-timed the puck with some authority into his own cage. Laine appeared surprised when the rebound of Letestus shot came his way, quickly putting a second hand on his stick and smacking at the puck, possibly in an attempt to clear it out of the zone.Every guy in the National Hockey Leagues got a goal like that, Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. Every defenseman, it goes in off them, so he has a story to tell.Five of Letestus six goals this season have come against Winnipeg.I cant really explain it, Letestu said. The puck just goes in on certain nights. I think its just coincidental that its been against this team. A really lucky third goal and on the power play, Connor (McDavid) finds me in a good spot.Game notes It was the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Oilers won both previous games in Winnipeg, shutting out the Jets 3-0 at the Heritage Classic in October, and then won the second game 6-3 to start December. ... Winnipegs Brandon Tanev leads all NHL rookies in hits, coming into the contest with 74 in 30 games.UP NEXTJets: Are off until Thursday night, when they host Florida.Oilers: Remain at home to play Columbus on Tuesday night. ' ' '