KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were missing several key players, including Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles, as they began preparing for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Charles missed Wednesday’s workout because of blisters on his feet. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he believes Charles will be ready to go against the Titans.

Top cornerback Brandon Flowers remained out of practice with inflammation in his knee, and starting free safety Kendrick Lewis has been dealing with a sprained ankle. Rookie right tackle Eric Fisher, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, is still undergoing evaluations from a concussion he sustained in last weekend’s 31-7 win over the Giants. Even punter Dustin Colquitt was out of practice. He hurt his knee last Sunday.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It was a gamble from the get-go, the decision by the Kansas City Chiefs to trade two draft picks for Alex Smith this past offseason. So far, it’s paying off. Smith is off to the best start of his career, leading the Chiefs to a 4-0 mark. He’s on pace to set career bests for yards passing, yards rushing and touchdown passes, and has even outplayed the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick — the guy who took his starting job last season.

Perhaps most importantly, Smith hasn’t made many mistakes. He threw his first two picks last Sunday against the Giants, but has otherwise been flawless. And that’s a big reason the Chiefs are tied with the Titans, their opponent Sunday, for the NFL’s best turnover margin.