The Kansas City Chiefs will be without their second-leading rusher Kenneth Walker III for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after he was ruled out due to a groin injury. Rookie running back Emmett Johnson is expected to start in his place.
Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to play without injury restrictions, according to the Chiefs’ latest updates.
Walker, who ranks second in the NFL with 872 rushing yards, was held out of Friday’s practice after reporting groin tightness during Thursday’s session. The team listed him as questionable before officially ruling him out on Saturday. Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated that the injury is not considered long-term, but the team is exercising caution.
Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, the NFL’s rushing leader with 880 yards, remains available for the matchup. The game was anticipated to feature the league’s top two rushers, with Walker also contributing 22 receptions for 172 yards and four touchdowns this season. Robinson has added 250 receiving yards alongside his rushing production.
Reid emphasized that Johnson has performed well when given opportunities, noting his 111 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 carries this season, as well as 237 receiving yards and another score on 14 catches. Johnson will take on a larger role in Walker’s absence, though Kansas City’s depth at running back has been impacted by other injuries. Brashard Smith is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, and Isiah Ott is questionable with a sore hamstring after limited action last week.
Walker has a history of groin issues, including a Grade 1 groin pull in 2023 and a procedure in August 2022. This season marks the first time he has played all 17 games, raising questions about his durability. The Chiefs, currently 6-2, are positioned as contenders for another Super Bowl under Reid’s leadership.
The Falcons have secured a key edge rusher with a $33 million extension ahead of the game, adding another layer to the matchup. Atlanta’s defensive improvements may further test Kansas City’s offense without Walker in the lineup.