Kansas City Chiefs Face A Major Concern Before Their Week 10 Clash With Atlanta Falcons

Kenneth Walker III sat out Friday's practice with a tight groin, leaving the Kansas City Chiefs anxious© Image via: X/@NFL

Nobody on the Chiefs staff saw this one coming. Kenneth Walker III walked into the building Friday morning feeling tight in the groin, and just like that, practice was off the table. Head coach Andy Reid shrugged at the cause. Maybe a tweak somewhere along the way. Sunday's Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons now hangs on a Saturday check. For a 6-2 team leaning hard on one back, that is a long wait.

Kenneth Walker III And The Kansas City Chiefs Face A Long Night Of Rehab

Walker has been the engine. His 872 rushing yards sit second in the league, only eight shy of Atlanta's Bijan Robinson at 880. Add 26 catches, 172 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, and you get the kind of season that gets MVP chatter going in October.

He had not missed a game before this. Reid said Walker did not even bring it up himself.

"Somewhere he tweaked it," Reid said. "He's not one to say something like that, but he was tight this morning. We're feeling it out to see where we're at. We're not going to put him at risk or anything, that's not how we roll. If he can go he will go, if he can't, he can't."

K9 STRIKES TWICE  Mahomes hits Kenneth Walker for his second TD of the day as the Chiefs retake the lead. (via @NFL) https://t.co/2aYSuqItWM

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 8, 2026

That last line tells you plenty. No bravado, no guarantees. If Walker feels even a little off Sunday, expect Kansas City to play it safe, and honestly, it should.

Emmett Johnson Is Kansas City Chiefs' Plan B, And A Thin One

Rookie Emmett Johnson would get the call. He has 111 rushing yards, 14 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns, and the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award from the Denver Broncos game in Week 8. Those receiving numbers say he is more than a fill-in.

Right guard Trey Smith clearly likes what he sees.

"He'll be ready to go," Smith said of Johnson. "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."

The trouble is who stands behind him. Brashard Smith is on injured reserve. Jaydn Ott has a hamstring issue and is questionable. Practice squad back Nate Carter is next in line.

Right tackle Jaylon Moore and rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods are already out, so Johnson may also run behind a reshuffled line. Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff for the final word.