KennethWalker III

News: 15 hours agoWalker (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Spin: Walker was a late addition to the Chiefs' practice report Friday as a DNP due to what was described as "groin tightness." He was initially tagged as questionable for Sunday's contest, but the injury is severe enough for the fifth-year running back to miss his first game of the regular season. Rookie fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson is projected to lead Kansas City's backfield against Atlanta in Walker's absence, and with Jaydn Ott (hamstring) listed as questionable, the Chiefs could elevate Nate Carter from the practice squad to the active roster. Walker's next opportunity to play is Week 11 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 22.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Walker signed with the Chiefs after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks. The reigning Super Bowl MVP and PFF's highest-graded running back from 2025, Walker is poised for feature-back duties in a good, Andy Reid-led offense. Having worked in a committee most of last season, Walker was limited to only five touchdowns and 11.3 fantasy points per game (both career lows), but he still generated 252 touches and a career-high 1,309 yards. He has yet to finish a season better than 18th in fantasy points (12th on a per-game basis) and has missed at least two games in three of four seasons in the league, but the 25-year-old's ability to contribute at a high level as a rusher and receiver is enough to position him as, at least, a fringe RB1 in 2026.