KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Combine “concussion” and the “NFL” in a request to an internet search engine, and millions of results pop up regarding a hot-button issue.

The topic arose again Wednesday when the Kansas City Chiefs returned to practice to begin preparations for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. The discussion was about running back Jamaal Charles, who took a hit to the head Sunday in the Chiefs’ victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Multiple tests Tuesday and Wednesday confirmed that Charles was not concussed.

Charles scored on a 16-yard run, jumping into the end zone, where he was tackled hard by cornerback Brandon Flowers, his former teammate.

Charles bounced up and ran to the sideline with a smile on his face. Flowers was on the ground for several minutes, walked off, returned to the field for several plays, then was then sent to the locker room with what was diagnosed as a concussion.

Jump ahead to Tuesday, and Charles appeared on an ESPN Radio program. Charles told the host that after the hit: “I just seen light buzzes around my eyes and I was just trying to catch them. But I was like, ‘I am in the game, so let’s get the ball and run it again.’

“I didn’t have a concussion, but it was definitely a hit that shocked me, but I didn’t think I had to go through the concussion protocols and all that because, you know, I didn’t want to go through that again, like what happened (last year) in the playoffs.

“I was definitely fine. I think I came out pretty good.”

In a January postseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, Charles was pulled from the game in the first quarter after experiencing concussion symptoms.

One part of everyone’s education on concussions is that once a person sustains one, he is prone to additional head injuries.

When Charles talked about the “light buzzes” around his eyes, that set off alarm bells with many of those involved in the concussion situation.

Vision alteration is one of several indicators of trauma to the brain.

On Wednesday, the first person with the Chiefs to speak publicly about the situation with Charles was trainer Rick Burkholder.

“We went through the game and obviously we check on those guys as they come off almost every series, and there was nothing,” Burkholder said. “We checked with him after the game and nothing. I know coach (Andy Reid) spent a good amount of time with him on the airplane and noticed nothing. (Jamaal) came in Monday and worked out with our strength coaches. He lifted, ran with no symptoms; he didn’t complain to any of us.

“When I got word that he had done an interview and said that he had symptoms during the game, we immediately we put our protocol into place to see whether he had a concussion or not.”

Charles did not get to attend game No. 1 of the World Series between the Royals and Giants because he was right down the hill from the stadium at the Chiefs’ facility undergoing testing.

“We gave him the SCAT3 test, which is the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, and he did fine,” Burkholder said. “He took what’s called an ImPACT test, which is a computer neurocognitive test, and he passed that. That’s based out of Pittsburgh, and we sent (the results) there last night. During the World Series, I was on the phone with the neuropsychologist in Pittsburgh going over the test to make sure that he was back to his baseline, which he was.

“We also gave him a test called ICE, which is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Initial Concussion Evaluation Test … and he passed that. As of last night, it looked like he didn’t have a concussion.”

Just to make sure, on Wednesday morning, Charles was examined by one of the team’s doctors who gave him another SCAT3 test. No concussion. They also talked with an independent neuro consultant from the National Football League. No concussion.

“All of the experts involved and our medical team feel like he didn’t have a concussion,” Burkholder said. “We aren’t classifying him as having a concussion, but as with all of our players, I will monitor him as he goes through practice.”

The business of chasing concussions has changed so much in the NFL, and Charles’ situation is a vivid example of the increased attention, testing and consultation. It also is a reminder that some players are not going to acknowledge symptoms if it means coming out of the game.

“I think for the most part, they are pretty forthright with everything,” Reid said. “I’m not going to get into all that, but these guys are pretty honest guys.”

NOTES: On the line in Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and Rams is the Governor’s Cup, the only long-term trophy in the NFL that is decided by the outcome of a single regular-season or preseason game. It was first awarded when the Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals played each other and has passed back and forth between the Chiefs and the Cardinals/Rams. Right now, St. Louis owns the trophy coming off a preseason victory in 2012 over Kansas City. … WR Donnie Avery, continuing his rehab from sports hernia surgery, did not practice with the team Wednesday. … CB Chris Owens is unlikely to play this weekend against St. Louis because of strained knee ligaments and a knee contusion. Owens said he hopes to be ready to play next week. … WR Junior Hemingway did not participate in practice because of a strained hamstring sustained in Sunday’s game against San Diego. Coach Andy Reid indicated that Hemingway is showing rapid improvement. … TE Travis Kelce was on the practice field and on the injury report because of sore ribs. While he was limited in his practice participation, he should be able to play against St. Louis, Reid said. … SS Eric Berry practiced on a limited basis during, trying to come back from a sprained ankle. Reid said Berry does not appear ready to play this week.