Chiefs list Kenneth Walker III questionable for Falcons after groin tightness

The Kansas City Chiefs don't know yet whether their lead running back will play Sunday in Atlanta. Kenneth Walker III told the team about tightness in his groin Friday morning, sat out the last on-field practice of the week and is listed as questionable for the Falcons game, ESPN reported.

Andy Reid called the decision to hold Walker out a precaution. He said the staff would check how the running back responds to rehab Friday afternoon and Saturday, and that it would not risk making the injury worse. "If he can go, he can go. If he can't, he can't," Reid said, according to ESPN.

Walker would be a big loss. He signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal in March and comes into the week with 872 rushing yards, second in the NFL. The only player ahead of him is Atlanta's Bijan Robinson, with 880, so Sunday was shaping up as a head-to-head between the league's top two rushers.

If Walker can't play, rookie fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson would make his first career start. Johnson has mostly played on third downs. He has 111 rushing yards on 26 carries and 237 receiving yards on 14 catches, with one touchdown each way. NBC Sports wrote that Johnson would get a lead-back workload if Walker sits.

There is better news elsewhere on the injury report. ESPN reported that the Chiefs expect wide receiver Xavier Worthy back from the hamstring injury he suffered against the Jets. Josh Downs, acquired from the Colts at the trade deadline, plans to make his debut. Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane is also expected back from a shoulder injury. Right tackle Jaylon Moore (ankle) and Peter Woods (neck) are likely out, which leaves the line short a starter in a week when the running game may already be without Walker.

What it means for Sunday at Atlanta

Kansas City is 6-2 and coming off a 35-12 home win over the Jets. That ended a two-game skid on the road, a 20-3 loss at Seattle followed by a 28-24 loss at Denver. The Chiefs are 4-0 at home but 2-2 away, and both losses came on the road. They have scored 202 points and allowed 143 across eight games, an average of roughly 25 to 18. Their best road results were tight wins at Las Vegas, 30-27, and Miami, 24-10.

The Chiefs are still favored. On this site's board, which tracks 12 venues, Novig has Kansas City at -163 on the moneyline and Atlanta at +160. The spread prices differ by venue. Novig lists the Chiefs at -3.5 with a +115 price, while the best Chiefs number anywhere is Pinnacle's -3 at -111. That half point sits right on a field goal, which matters for a team whose kicking has been under scrutiny this week. Novig has the total at 47.5, a point above BetRivers' 46.5. Sportsbook hold on the game runs from 3.1% to 4.8%.

If Walker is ruled out over the weekend, the board will show how much the market thinks he is worth. The Chiefs' answer at running back should be clear by Saturday, before the 1 p.m. kickoff on CBS.