The Kansas City Chiefs probably can’t afford to start the season without running back Kenneth Walker III, and it appears now that they won’t have to worry too much about that possibility.
Head coach Andy Reid updated Walker’s injury status on Wednesday, August 26 after the RB missed practice time this week with a foot injury.
“His shoe has been causing some swelling on his ankle. We’re trying to get that down,” Reid told reporters, per Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. “He’s going to be OK.”
Goldman noted that Kansas City kept Walker sidelined on Wednesday and that the running back probably won’t play in the Chiefs’ preseason finale against Seattle on Friday.
Chiefs Will Lean on Kenneth Walker III to Create Explosive Plays Missing From Offense Over Past Few Years
GettyKansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III.
Kansas City signed Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, to a three-year contract worth $43.05 million over the offseason. Walker put up 1,027 rushing yards and five TDs on 4.6 yards per carry across 17 games played for the Seattle Seahawks last season, adding 31 catches for 282 yards.
He was key to the Seahawks’ offense during the team’s title run in January and February, tallying a total of 417 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns.
Walker — who will play the upcoming campaign at 26 years old, his fifth in the NFL — is the Chiefs’ answer to a historic lack of explosiveness out of the offensive backfield over the past two years.
Kansas City will rely heavily on Walker to create explosive plays (runs of 10-plus yards and receptions of 20 or more yards) in both the run and pass games this season.
Chiefs Offensive Linemen Josh Simmons, Trey Smith Battling Injury Issues of Their Own
GettyKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered an update on left tackle Josh Simmons, who is battling a back injury near the end of the preseason.
A couple of other key injuries exist on Kansas City’s offensive line.
Two-time Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith returned to practice in a limited capacity this week after a nagging hip injury sidelined him earlier this month.
“It was important that he let that thing heal up,” Reid said on Monday. “It’ll pay off for him down the road.”
Meanwhile, left tackle Josh Simmons is battling a back injury, which Reid said will require more testing. Simmons will not play against the Seahawks on Friday.
Andy Reid Issues Revealing Update on Kenneth Walker III Injury