Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker sat out of practice on Friday due to a groin injury, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Week 10 game.
Head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation with the media, noting that the running back woke up with tightness in the area before the team decided to hold him out as a precaution, as reported by Harold R. Kuntz.
Reid stated that the team plans to monitor Walker’s condition throughout the afternoon to determine if he can return to the field, according to Yahoo Sports.
If Walker is unable to play, the Chiefs are expected to rely heavily on backup Emmett Johnson, who has served as the primary reserve throughout the season.
Johnson has demonstrated efficiency during his rookie campaign, ranking 20th in PFF Rushing Grade among players with at least 25 carries, per PFF data.
The backup running back has also been a significant factor in the team’s passing game, catching 14 of 15 targets this season.
The depth chart remains thin at the position, as listed third-string running back Jaydn Ott is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, according to reports on social media.
Should Ott remain sidelined, the team may be forced to elevate Nate Carter from the practice squad to provide additional support.
Preliminary analysis suggests that Johnson would likely handle approximately 80 percent of the team’s rushing workload in the event that Walker is ruled out.
While Walker remains a high-level fantasy option if he manages to suit up, his efficiency could be limited by the injury, potentially forcing the coaching staff to scale back his typical usage rate.
Fantasy managers are advised to monitor the final injury reports released over the weekend before finalizing their lineups, as noted by SI Sports Illustrated.
The status of the starting running back will remain a critical focal point for the Chiefs offense as they prepare for Sunday.