The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense was dealt a tough blow in Week 10 when it was revealed running back Kenneth Walker was dealing with a groin injury.
Walker popped up on the injury report on Friday after telling the team he was experiencing groin tightness. It isn’t clear how he came down with the issue.
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After not practicing on Friday, Walker was officially ruled out for the contest against the Atlanta Falcons.
MORE: NFL power rankings, updated entering Week 10
Now that Walker’s status for Week 10 is settled, we turn the page to Week 11.
Here’s the latest news on Walker’s chances of returning next week.
Will Kenneth Walker return in Week 11?
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) looks on during warmups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The expectation is that Walker will play next week against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport notes that Walker’s groin injury is “minor.”
“Kenneth Walker III, not in there (in Week 10) for the Kansas City Chiefs,” Rapoport said. “He’s out with a minor groin injury. Minor, more precautionary than anything else, (the Chiefs) believe, as of right now, that next week he’ll be able to go.”
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We could get our next update on Walker from the Chiefs on Monday.
If not, we’ll have more clarity on Walker’s status no later than Wednesday, when the Chiefs put out their first Week 11 injury report.
Impact of Kenneth Walker’s injury
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Entering Week 10, Walker ranked second in the NFL rushing yards behind only Bijan Robinson, who has played in one more game than the Chiefs’ back.
Walker has been the Chiefs’ most valuable player by a country mile in 2026 and is the engine of Kansas City’s offense. The veteran has rightly been mentioned as an MVP candidate because of the massive impact he has made.
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As long as Walker is out, rookie Emmett Johnson is expected to take the reins of the backfield, and guys like Jaydn Ott and Nate Carter will be in line to spell him.
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Johnson has had some impressive games both as a runner and pass-catcher during his rookie campaign.
He ripped off nearly six yards per carry in Week 9, and he had a monster showing through the air in Week 8 after tallying 128 yards and a score on five receptions.
The Chiefs might be in good hands as long as Walker is out.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
