The Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest addition to the running back room this offseason, Kenneth Walker III, has missed two straight days of practice as the regular season draws closer.
What Happened to Kenneth Walker III?
Any extended absence for Walker would be notable given the expectations surrounding him, but Andy Reid offered a much less alarming explanation on Wednesday.
The Chiefs coach said Walker is dealing with swelling around his ankle caused by his shoe.
“His shoe has been causing some swelling on his ankle. We’re trying to get that down,” Reid told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s going to be OK.”
Walker was not wearing a walking boot or a brace, and there was no indication from Reid that the running back was dealing with a big structural injury. Kansas City also kept him out of its preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks, a sensible precaution with the regular season approaching.
For now, the expectation is that Walker will be ready for Week 1.
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The Chiefs open the regular season on Monday, Sept. 14, against the Denver Broncos, giving Walker more than two weeks to get the swelling under control. Unless something changes, there is little reason to believe the current issue will prevent him from taking the field, which is good news for the offense that has already invested heavily in its new running back.
Walker joined the Chiefs this offseason after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was seen as one of the league’s more productive backs.
Kansas City signed him to a three-year, $43.05 million contract, which shows he will be playing a big role in the offense. The Chiefs missed the playoffs last season, and improving the running game was among the areas the organization addressed during the offseason.
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Walker is coming off a season in which he ran for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns while adding 282 yards receiving. In the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, Walker rushed for 135 yards and helped the Seahawks finish the season as champions. His performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors.
Walker’s importance to Kansas City’s plans also explains why the team is being careful.
The Chiefs do not have the kind of proven depth behind him that would make losing their top back for an extended period easy to absorb.
Emari Demercado is expected to be one of the players who would receive additional work if Walker were unavailable. Demercado rushed for 312 yards for the Arizona Cardinals last season.
Behind him is rookie Emmett Johnson, a fifth-round pick from Nebraska who is still adjusting to the NFL.
That makes Walker’s health particularly important.
