Kenneth Walker III will miss the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons after suffering a groin injury, with rookie Emmett Johnson set to start at running back for the first time in his NFL career.
Walker was initially listed as questionable on Friday but was officially ruled out on Saturday, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Kansas City plans to have Johnson lead the rushing attack under head coach Andy Reid, Schefter reported on Twitter.
Johnson, a rookie out of Nebraska, has appeared in the Chiefs’ first eight games this season, backing up Walker. His rushing numbers are modest, 111 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries, but his receiving stats reveal a different story. Johnson has caught 14 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown, including a 73-yard catch-and-run against the Denver Broncos in Week 9, which drew attention across the league.
The 73-yard touchdown reception was a standout moment for Johnson, showcasing his speed and ability out of the backfield. It was one of the few big plays for the Chiefs’ running backs this season, and it came just a week before he was named the starter against Atlanta.
Johnson’s role in the passing game has added a new dimension to Kansas City’s offence, complementing their dynamic passing attack. With Walker out, the team will depend on Johnson’s versatility to help sustain drives and create opportunities in both the running and passing games.
Walker’s injury is a blow for the Chiefs, who have relied on him as their primary rusher. His absence forces Kansas City to trust a rookie in a critical spot, especially on the road against a Falcons defence that has been competitive this season.
Andy Reid has not commented publicly on Walker’s status or the decision to start Johnson, but the team’s move signals confidence in the rookie’s ability to handle a larger workload. Johnson’s previous performances suggest he is ready to shoulder that responsibility, at least for this game.
The Chiefs face the Falcons on Sunday, and Johnson’s first start will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. How he performs could influence Kansas City’s running game strategy moving forward while Walker recovers.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire.
According to Yahoo Sports.
