The Kansas City Chiefs will hold out running back Kenneth Walker for Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons after he suffered a groin injury during Thursday’s practice. The team is taking a cautious approach and wants to give him a week to recover.
The injury is not viewed as a long-term concern. Sources indicated the Chiefs are simply playing it safe with one of their most important offensive pieces rather than risking any aggravation of the issue. Walker reported tightness, and the organization elected to keep him out of the Week 10 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Walker has been one of the NFL’s most productive running backs in his first season with Kansas City. He ranks second in the league with 872 rushing yards, trailing only the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson (880), while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring seven rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 26 receptions for 172 yards and four additional scores. The former Seattle Seahawk signed a three-year, $43.05 million contract in free agency and has quickly become a centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense under head coach Andy Reid.
With Walker sidelined, the Chiefs are expected to lean on rookie running back Emmett Johnson, a fifth-round pick who has seen limited but effective work this season. Johnson has 26 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown, along with notable receiving production. Reid has previously expressed confidence in the rookie, noting that Johnson would play regardless of Walker’s status and that the coaching staff believes in him.
The decision aligns with the Chiefs’ approach of protecting key players when soft-tissue issues arise. While Walker’s absence removes a dynamic threat from the backfield against a Falcons team that features the NFL’s leading rusher in Robinson, Kansas City’s overall offensive structure—with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback—gives the team options to adjust. The organization expects Walker to be available the following week once the short recovery window is complete.
This precautionary rest comes as the Chiefs (entering the game with a strong record) continue navigating the second half of the season. Walker’s production has been a major factor in their ground game, and limiting him now is intended to keep him fresh for the stretch run.
