Chiefs welcome Charles back at camp

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed back star running back Jamaal Charles on Thursday for the first day of coach Andy Reid's second training camp.

Charles, who signed a two-year contract extension Wednesday, entered the practice field Thursday to thunderous cheers from fans in attendance.

He didn't disappoint, catching a screen pass from Alex Smith before running up the left sideline for a touchdown on one of the first plays during 11-on-11 drills.

"It feels good," Charles said about the extension. "I just like to thank God first of all. I'd like to thank the Hunt family, my teammates and the fans, everybody that supported me. I didn't want to hold out. That's not my personality. I couldn't do it. I just wanted to get the deal done."

The two-time All Pro running back avoided a holdout.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles catches a ball during NFL football training camp on Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo. (Charlie Riedel ~ AP Photo)

"I thought he'd be here," Reid said. "I figured it would all work out. They were communicating. I would say if they're talking that's a good thing. I didn't really anticipate him not being here. I knew he wanted to be here and do this thing."

Meanwhile, the team's remaining priorities are addressing Smith and outside linebacker Justin Houston, with both Pro Bowl players entering the final year of their contracts.

The Chiefs have $9.46 million in cap space to work with.

For his part, Smith said he's happy to see Charles get an extension. While the Chiefs and Smith's representative have negotiated on a contract extension, nothing has been finalized between the parties.

The 30-year-old Smith fielded questions throughout the offseason over the status of negotiations.

"This is no longer the time to be talking and speculating," Smith said. "Certainly the people talking -- my agent and the front office -- I told them the same thing. When something gets finalized, come let me know. Until then, don't bother me and that's the way I want it."