KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

The star running back hurt his knee in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to Chicago. An MRI on Monday confirmed the tear.

Earlier Monday, coach Andy Reid said “the worst case is the ACL is torn. That’s probably the direction it’s heading.”

Charles was making a cut deep in Bears territory on Sunday when his right knee buckled at a gruesome angle. The four-time Pro Bowl selection needed help from a trainer and linebacker Justin Houston to get off the field, never once putting any weight on the leg.

Charles tore the ACL in his other knee four years ago, missing most of the season.

“I talked to Jamaal yesterday and he was obviously down,” Reid said before learning the diagnosis, “but he is positive about coming back, getting himself back. That’s where his energy will be directed, getting through the surgery and getting back to where he can play.”

Charles could have enough time to get back next season. While the injury typically sidelines a player for about a year, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson beat that timeline by several months. Peterson tore his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve in 2011, but was back for Week 1 the following season.

Reid sounded optimistic that Charles would make it back eventually.

“He’s an amazing guy that way,” Reid said. “He’s one of those rare athletes that you have an opportunity to coach. They’re genetically and mentally strong.”