Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III missed practice Friday with groin soreness, leaving his status in question for this weekend’s trip to Atlanta, while wide receiver Josh Downs aims to play days after being earned in a trade with Indianapolis.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Walker had “fixed” his hip and that the team would monitor him through Sunday.
“We’ll see. He’s not one to say something like that (without realizing it),” Reid said.
Walker has rushed for 872 yards in his first season with Kansas City, leaving him just eight yards behind Bijan Robinson for The NFL Bulleteven though he has played one less game than the Atlanta Falcons running back. Walker’s average of 109 yards per game leads the league.
Walker has also been instrumental in the passing game, catching 22 balls for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
If he is unable to play this weekend, rookie Emmett Johnson would be in line to carry a bigger load. The fifth-round pick out of Nebraska has given Walker a breather most of the season, and he shines when given the opportunity. Johnson has 111 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 26 boards, and he’s caught 14 passes for 237 yards and another score.
“He’s going to play anyway, Kenny or not,” Reid said. “Everyone has faith in him.”
Meanwhile, the Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Xavier Worthy available after he left in the second half of last week’s win over the New York Jets with a hamstring injury. That should take some pressure off Downs, who the Chiefs acquired from the Indianapolis Colts just before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday in an effort to build their depth at the position.
The Chiefs are already without wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who is on injured reserve with a dislocated ankle.
“I thought he did a good job of what we asked him to do, to digest everything in a couple of days,” Reid said of Downs. “He’s a smart kid and he knows how to play. He’s been playing, which is great, and he’s been playing at a high level. He’s been working on the things we’ve asked him to do and he’s done well. I think he’s ready to play in a game for us.”
Downs had 33 catches for 354 yards and a touchdown in nine games with Indianapolis.
The Chiefs expect first-round pick Mansoor Delane to return after the cornerback missed several games with a shoulder injury, though they will likely be without right tackle Jaylon Moore with an ankle injury and Peter Woods with a neck injury.
Joshua Ezeudu played well in place of Moore in last week’s win over the Jets.
“Yeah man, again, it’s a future mentality. It’s the NFL. Every sports team, that’s what happens,” offensive guard Trey Smith said. “Football has a 100 percent injury rate.”
Reporting by the Associated Press.