The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be without running back Kenneth Walker III for their Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Walker has been dealing with a groin injury, and the team is reportedly planning to give him a week to recover rather than risk aggravating the issue.
The Chiefs entered the matchup ranked fifth in the NFL in total rushing yards, with Walker playing a major role in that production. But his availability became uncertain after he reported tightness in his groin ahead of Kansas City’s final practice before Sunday’s game.
Walker practiced on Thursday, but the injury was subsequently reported to the team. He missed Friday’s practice and was listed as questionable for the Falcons matchup. The latest update indicated that Kansas City expected to hold him out after he injured his groin during Thursday’s session. A source said the team “want[s] to give him a week.”
Head coach Andy Reid had previously acknowledged the injury and said the Chiefs were assessing how Walker felt. Reid explained that the running back had tweaked his groin and that the team would monitor him through rehabilitation and into the following day.
“We’ll just see how he feels through this afternoon, with rehab and through tomorrow,” Reid said. “Somewhere he tweaked it. We’re kind of feeling it out just to see where we’re at with that [groin]. We’re not going to put him at risk. If he can go, he can go. If he can’t, he can’t.”
Walker’s potential absence would be significant for Kansas City’s offense. Since joining the Chiefs ahead of the 2026 season, he has become a central part of the backfield. Through eight starts, he has rushed for 872 yards and seven touchdowns. His rushing total is second behind Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson. Walker has also contributed as a receiver, recording 26 catches for 172 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
His production fell during Kansas City’s back-to-back losses to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 and the Denver Broncos in Week 8. He responded last week against the New York Jets, gaining 102 yards on 18 carries and scoring a touchdown. The strong performance made his late-week injury especially notable as the Chiefs prepared to begin the second half of their season.
If Walker does not play, Kansas City is expected to turn to rookie running back Emmett Johnson. The fifth-round pick has recorded 111 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 attempts this season. With Walker expected to be rested, Johnson could make his first career start for the Chiefs.
Guard Trey Smith expressed confidence in the rookie and praised his attitude and preparation.
“He’ll be ready to go,” Smith said. “I like Emmett, man, his juice, his energy. He oozes enthusiasm, emotion and positive energy. You can tell the guy wants to be great, and you can tell he works at it. He really cares, man. I’m really excited for him. It’s not hard to root for guys like that.”
Kansas City is 6-2 after the first half of the 2026 season and is set to open the second half against Atlanta. Walker’s status leaves the team with a notable question in its rushing attack, while Johnson may be asked to take on a larger role. The Chiefs’ decision to hold Walker out is intended to avoid putting him at risk, but the timing means the rookie could have an early opportunity to contribute as a starter.
