Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker missed practice on Friday due to a groin injury, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, RDS reported.
Walker told RDS that he is dealing with groin discomfort and that his status will be re-evaluated over the weekend.
In his first season with Kansas City, Walker has rushed for 872 yards, leaving him just eight yards behind NFL rushing leader Bijan Robinson. Walker has played one fewer game than Robinson, giving him a league-best average of 109 yards per contest.
The former Seattle Seahawks running back also caught 22 passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
If Walker cannot play on Sunday, rookie Emmett Johnson is expected to handle an increased workload. Selected in the fifth round of the recent draft, Johnson has gained 111 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 carries, alongside 14 receptions for 237 yards and another score.
“He’s going to play anyway, whether Ken is there or not,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told RDS. “Everyone has confidence in him.”
Meanwhile, newly acquired wide receiver Josh Downs is positioned to make his first appearance for the Chiefs on Sunday. Obtained from the Indianapolis Colts prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, Downs adds depth to the team’s receiving corps.
Downs has recorded 33 receptions for 354 yards and one touchdown across nine games this season. He posted his career-best NFL campaign in 2024 by collecting 803 receiving yards over 14 appearances.
Walker’s official game-day status will be determined following final evaluations over the weekend ahead of Sunday’s kickoff.
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