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Pre-Camp Reads: Looking at RB Spencer Ware

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a closer look at players on the Chiefs roster

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Running back Spencer Ware originally entered the National Football League as a sixth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFL Draft. Ware had just 3 regular season rushing attempts with Seattle before the team released him in late August of 2014.

Ware was without a team until late December of 2014, when the Chiefs signed him to a futures contract. From there he would make the team's practice squad in 2015 and eventually be called up to the 53-man roster after Week 5.

Ware was the team's No. 2 running back from Week 6 forward, serving as the bruising chanegup to Charcandrick West's quick-cutting rushing style.

SEASON REVIEW

The Chiefs added Ware to their practice squad to begin the 2015 season, and he was activated to the main roster two days after Jamaal Charles suffered his season-ending ACL injury in Week 5.

During Weeks 6 through 10, without Charles, the majority of Kansas City's carries went to West. When West left the Week 11 game against the Chargers, Ware entered the game and rushed 11 times for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns.

When West couldn't go the next week against the Buffalo Bills, Ware had the best game of his career, rushing 19 times for 114 yards and a touchdown.

"You thought you had what you have right now, but you're never sure until they get in and get going," Andy Reid explained after that game of Ware. "We felt from his college time (at LSU) that he was a hard runner. We saw that in the preseason and during camp … He's a bigger guy, hadn't played a lot of snaps, and comes in and puts together a pretty healthy game as far as number of carries and plays for you."

A mid-season rib injury against the Chargers limited Ware towards the end of the season, but he still finished with a total of 72 attempts for more than 400 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Ware led the team in rushing attempts (16), had 67 yards rushing and scored a touchdown in the Chiefs Wild Card win over the Houston Texans, but he did not play in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots due to a sprained ankle.

HOW HE FITS

After the 2015 season, Ware and West were awarded multi-year contract extensions on the very same day—March 31.

Ware joins a 2016 running back room with the returning Charles, West and a four-year Chiefs veteran in Knile Davis.

2016 OUTLOOK

In 2016, Ware will look to build upon his breakout season in 2015.

Ware recently spoke to Chiefs.com about how appreciative he is for his opportunity in Kansas City:

"I'm extremely grateful for Kansas City, (general manager) John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid for giving me an opportunity here when nobody wanted me," Ware said. "I show them my gratitude by how I play on the field each and every day."


Photos of Spencer Ware

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