Adam Schefter breaks down the likelihood of Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles returning for the playoffs after undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year. (0:46)

There is a "very realistic" chance Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will be back for the playoffs after undergoing surgery to clean up the meniscus in both of his knees earlier this season, a source told ESPN.

The Chiefs (10-3) have won three games in a row and are hopeful that Charles, who is eligible to return in Week 17, will give them an added boost for the postseason.

Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles has been on injured reserve since Nov. 1 with pain in both knees. Jason Hanna/Getty Images

Charles, who had been experiencing pain in both knees, was placed on the injured reserve list on Nov. 1. Dr. James Andrews performed arthroscopic knee surgery on Charles' right knee around that time, and on the left knee Nov. 14.

Charles tore the ACL in his right knee in a game in October 2015. He returned this season and played in three games as a backup before the pain in his knees forced him out of the lineup.

Information from ESPN's Adam Teicher was used in this report.