KC Chiefs: Spencer Ware Impresses in First Start

Runningback Spencer Ware proves to be another stud in the KC Chiefs‘ backfield after Charcandrick West goes down with injury.

Spencer Ware is a second-year back out of LSU after being drafted in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks eventually cut before he signed with Kansas City. Now with the Chiefs, Ware was given his first NFL opportunity to start after Chiefs’ starter Charcandrick West went out with injury last week. West was filling in for the injured Jamaal Charles, who tore his ACL early in the season.

Ware was named the Chiefs’ starter for this week against the Buffalo Bills, and he didn’t disappoint. He had 19 carries and gained 114 yards on the ground and also found his way into the endzone as well.

He looked to be very capable of being an NFL runningback with his deceptive size and strength. Ware often found himself running over Bills’ defenders, finishing runs with a lot of force, often ending in defenders on their backs.

So who is Spencer Ware? Where did he come from, and how did he find himself as an NFL starter after starting the season on the practice squad?

Obviously Ware got his start this past week because of the injuries to the guys above him on the depth chart as I stated above. During his college career Ware rushed for 1,240 yards on 292 carries with 10 touchdowns. He also played 21 games for the LSU baseball team. He then entered the 2013 NFL Draft following his junior season.

Ware was taken in the sixth round by the Seahawks, but didn’t really pan out in Seattle. He was eventually signed to a futures contract by the Chiefs and was eventually activated off the practice squad for the Week 8 match-up against the Detroit Lions for the NFL game in London on November 1, 2015.

In this game in London, Ware scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 4-yard run in the latter parts of the game. He began to show that he really can contribute at the NFL level and it led to him getting the opportunity to start after Charcandrick West went down over Knile Davis, who has had some success for the Chiefs in past seasons.

West missed the whole week of practice due to his hamstring injury he suffered last week. He came into the Bills game listed as questionable, but I think the entire Chiefs organization that has seen more of Spencer Ware than we have, wasn’t very worried.

Ware has been a revolution for the Chiefs backfield, providing a different style of back to the Chiefs that West and Charles simply aren’t. I think that Ware will combine with West to be a pretty solid 1-2 punch for the rest of the season until Jamaal returns next season.

Next: Should the Chiefs Go After Johnny Manziel

What do you think? Do you think Spencer Ware is good enough to be an NFL starter? Will West and Ware be good in Kansas City for a long time or for a short time? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!