Kenneth Walker
Running Back #9
Kenneth Walker News
Kenneth Walker With 178 Total Yards In Week 2 Win
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker exploded for more than 175 total yards of offense for the second week in a row in the 33-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Walker handled 24 carries for 117 yards an caught six passes for 61 yards in the overtime win on Sunday night. Surpassing 100 yards on the ground was encouraging to see, but the real story of the game was Walker's passing game usage. The 25-year-old finished the game with six catches on 10 targets, trailing only Travis Kelce for the most targets on the team. Despite not finding the end zone in this game, Walker was still able to put forth a monster fantasy performance. Fantasy managers should be excited heading into next week's matchup on the road against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins defense has been pitiful to start the year, allowing at least 27 points in each game and not earning a single sack. Walker should be in line for another massive game against an even easier matchup in Week 3. The Chiefs running back should be viewed as high-end RB1 moving forward.
Sep 20, 2026 9:20 PM EST
Kenneth Walker Will Try To Sustain Workhorse Role In Week 2
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker was the heart and soul of the offense on Monday night in Week 1. Walker handled 23 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown as well as three catches for 18 yards and another score. The 25-year-old looked unstoppable facing one of the toughest defenses in the league, which bodes well for him continuing to have impressive performances this season. His 23 carries and six targets equated to 29 total opportunities in his Chiefs debut, which is gold for fantasy. Walker will look to stay as involved and efficient in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts defense was just gashed by Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, who rushed 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Walker proved in Week 1 that he is capable of having ceiling performances like Henry, so the Colts defense might have to prepare for another rushing barrage this week. Walker looks like everything the Chiefs offense has been missing and it looks like they will rely on him to set the tone offensively. Walker is ranked RB4 in our RotoBaller Week 2 PPR rankings, making him a rock-solid RB1 option heading into Sunday night.
Sep 18, 2026 12:53 PM EST
Kenneth Walker Explodes For 191 Yards In Week 1 Victory
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker put up a historic performance in his Kansas City debut. Walker handled 23 carries for 173 yards and a score in the 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos. The star back also caught three passes for 18 yards and another touchdown. Walker accounted for 191 total yards of offense in the Monday night rout. The Broncos offense totaled 176 yards on the night, so Walker was able to outgain them all on his own. It was a perfect debut for his new team as Walker broke off several breakaway runs, including a 60-yard score. All this production came against one of the strongest defensive units in the NFL, so it remains to be seen what kind of stat lines he'll put up against lesser squads. Walker will look to repeat this performance next week against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' defense was middle-of-the-pack in points allowed last season, so the Chiefs should have no trouble moving the ball. Walker should be viewed as a rock solid RB1 heading into Week 2 after this impressive game.
Sep 14, 2026 7:35 PM EST
Kenneth Walker To Face Tough Broncos Defense In Week 1
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker will make his Chiefs debut against the Denver Broncos on Monday night in Week 1. Walker recently had an injury scare when he missed practice due to a foot issue, but it was stated to be an issue with his cleat that has since been resolved. Walker was not listed on the injury report this week, meaning that he should be a full go to begin the season. Walker was highly effective for the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs as the feature back after playing in a committee for the regular season, and now he will get the opportunity to be a bell-cow for Kansas City. The 25-year-old is in the prime of his career and should handle the vast majority of carries as well as a handful of catches out of the backfield each week. The Chiefs were among the best teams in rushing success rate last season but lacked the explosiveness to make big plays, so Walker should fill that role quite nicely. The season outlook for Walker is better than his Week 1 outlook, mostly due to the tough matchup. The Broncos defense allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in 2025, meaning that Walker could have a hard time getting things going on the ground, but he could get involved in the passing game. The Kansas City offensive line is also dealing with injuries, which could make things even more difficult for the Chiefs running back. Walker is also a home run hitter, meaning that it just takes one play for him to break off a big run and make an impact. There are obstacles in his way, but Walker should get ample opportunity to make something happen. Walker is ranked RB12 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, making him a back-end RB1 option this week. Fantasy managers should be excited by his new situation this season, but temper expectations in Week 1.
Sep 12, 2026 11:42 AM EST
Kenneth Walker Could Be Poised for Monster Year in Kansas City
After spending the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, running back Kenneth Walker is entering his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026. Across 17 games with Seattle in 2025, Walker III recorded 1,309 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 252 touches. While the 25-year-old was a productive player, his overall and goal-line usage was limited by the presence of Seahawks back Zach Charbonnet (knee). In Kansas City, Walker III currently projects to be backed up by 2026 fifth-rounder Emmett Johnson and 2025 seventh-rounder Brashard Smith, neither of whom projects to take him off the field in high-value situations. Walker III has also drawn rave reviews for his work in Kansas City this summer, with reporting indicating that he may play a significant role as both a rusher and receiver in 2026. If he stays healthy, Walker III has a chance to reach 300 touches for the first time in his career and could finish as a high-end fantasy RB1.
Sep 5, 2026 7:20 AM EST
Kenneth Walker a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (foot), who dealt with a minor foot injury late in training camp, was present for Wednesday's practice and participated without limitation in all sessions, according to beat writer Pete Sweeney. The Super Bowl MVP signed a three-year, $43 million deal to join the Chiefs in free agency, and he is expected to handle a three-down role in an offense looking to rebound from a pair of down years. All signs point to the Week 1 availability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) after an ACL tear ended his 2025 season, but as he ramps up in his recovery, Walker could see a sizeable early-season workload and is one of a handful of running backs going near the one-two turn with a realistic chance to crack the top three. Following a hype-filled training camp, RotoBaller's RB8 has the feel of one of the safest running backs to build around in 2026.
Sep 2, 2026 9:27 AM EST
Chiefs View Kenneth Walker as Potential Three-Down Back
The Kansas City Chiefs view running back Kenneth Walker as a "potential three-down back," according to The Athletic's Jesse Newell, although rookie Emmett Johnson made big strides in the final two weeks of training camp this summer. Emari Demercado's roster spot seemed secure going into roster cutdown day on Sunday because he had been one of the team's top pass protectors. With the Chiefs surprisingly cutting Demercado, it could mean even more pass-catching opportunities for Walker, who looks ready for a workhorse role in his new digs after winning Super Bowl MVP for the Seattle Seahawks in early February. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by Seattle in 2022 out of Michigan State had his second career 1,000-yard season in 17 regular-season starts in 2025, and with more volume coming with the Chiefs if he stays healthy, there is clear RB1 upside for Walker in his fifth NFL season, especially if the Chiefs' offense can bounce back with a healthy quarterback Patrick Mahomes. RotoBaller has Walker ranked as the No. 8 fantasy RB for 2026.
Sep 1, 2026 2:05 PM EST
Kenneth Walker Could Be Over-Hyped
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker is coming off a big postseason run with the Seahawks that culminated in his Super Bowl MVP Award. After joining the Chiefs this offseason, Walker is being drafted very early in most fantasy drafts, coming off the board in the early rounds. He's ranked RotoBaller's RB No. 7, and he definitely brings top-10 RB potential in his new role with his new team. However, Walker had trouble staying healthy until last season, and he shared a lot of the work with Zach Charbonnet. He finished the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards and 282 receiving yards, with just five total touchdowns. Coach Andy Reid has typically mixed in multiple backs in the past, and the team used a fifth-round pick on Emmett Johnson, while Brashard Smith is also still in the mix. Walker has RB1 potential, but he is less of a sure thing than some of the other RBs being drafted in the same tier. If you do draft Walker, be sure to have plenty of depth at the position with possible pivots if he ends up in a timeshare.
Sep 1, 2026 5:59 AM EST
Kenneth Walker Could Help to Transform Chiefs' Offense
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker could play a key role in taking the offense to new heights this season, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. "The Chiefs know Walker presents a more dangerous threat that should force linebackers and safeties to move forward before Mahomes attempts a play-action pass," Taylor wrote. He also noted that Walker was fourth in percentage of runs that gained 10 or more yards last year, and that quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently identified Walker as the reason he's particularly intrigued by the Chiefs' offense. It can be tough to know which hype we should believe during the preseason, but it does seem like Walker could be the answer to the Chiefs' problems. The Chiefs certainly think so, as they signed the ex-Seahawk to a three-year, $43 million deal. If Kansas City can get the run game going this year, they'll remain the favorites to win the AFC West. As it stands, Walker is the RB9 in RotoBaller's latest half-PPR fantasy football draft rankings for 2026.
Aug 27, 2026 7:50 PM EST
Kenneth Walker at the Heart of Chiefs' New Offense
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker has made it clear that his running style preference is to work under center, which is expected to be a big part of the team's offense in 2026, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, presents a dangerous threat that should force linebackers and safeties to move forward before quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempts a play-action pass. Walker ranked fourth in percentage of runs that gained 10-plus yards, according to NextGen Stats. "No. 9. That's all I can say," Mahomes said, referencing Walker's jersey number, when asked what intrigues him most about the offense. "That change and the ability to catch, run, pass protect, do everything. [He can] make a play out of nothing into a 20-yard gain. That's going to be the biggest impact, I think, we'll have -- just finding the ways to get him the ball." If KC can make Walker more of a true dual-threat player, they should have more success as they attempt to get back to the playoffs. "He looks like he's the full package," head coach Andy Reid said of Walker. "He works at it. That's the part I appreciate. He's always asking questions." If Walker can avoid injuries in 2026 in his first year in KC, his volume alone as the team's workhorse should give him a high floor as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in fantasy.
Aug 27, 2026 3:14 PM EST
Kenneth Walker is "Gonna be Fine"
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that running back Kenneth Walker's (ankle) shoe caused some swelling around his ankle but added that "he's gonna be fine," according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. The initial report on Walker was that he missed training camp practice earlier this week with a foot injury, but it was never considered very serious after he was seen walking without a limp and without a brace of any kind on his foot on Tuesday. The 25-year-old will most likely be held out of the preseason finale on Friday against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, but all signs point to the Super Bowl MVP being a full-go as KC's workhorse RB for a Week 1 showdown on Monday night against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The former second-rounder by Seattle in 2022 from Michigan State played all 17 regular-season games in 2025 and had the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career while scoring five times on the ground and adding 31 catches for 282 yards as a receiver. Walker has a history of lower-body injuries, but if he can stay healthy, his volume alone with the Chiefs should give him a high floor as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in fantasy football.
Aug 26, 2026 10:29 AM EST
Kenneth Walker Walking Around Fine at Practice
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (foot), who missed training camp practice on Tuesday with a foot injury, did not have any brace or boot on his foot and was seen walking around "just fine," according to Matt Foster. It doesn't sound like Walker is dealing with a serious injury, but he almost certainly will be held out of the team's preseason finale this Friday against the Seattle Seahawks as the team looks to have him back to 100% for the Week 1 season opener against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14. If the 25-year-old Super Bowl MVP misses any more time this week with his foot injury, it will allow backups Emari Demercado and rookie Emmett Johnson to get more backfield work in training camp. With an expected workhorse role in his first season in KC, Walker has clear RB1 upside in 2026 if he can avoid the lower-body injuries that have plagued him in the past. The former second-rounder in 2022 from Michigan State had his second 1,000-yard season and five rushing touchdowns in 17 starts last year in his final season in Seattle, adding 31 receptions for 282 yards as a receiver on 36 targets.
Aug 25, 2026 1:22 PM EST
Kenneth Walker III's Strong Summer Interrupted by Foot Issue
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III is not expected to practice Tuesday because of a foot issue, according to Matt Derrick. It's the first real interruption in what has otherwise been an impressive first summer with the Chiefs. Walker has been heavily involved throughout camp, with Kansas City getting him the ball in the screen game and finding different ways to use him as a receiver. He arrived after rushing for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries with Seattle last season, adding 31 catches for 282 yards. Walker has looked headed for a sizable role in Kansas City, which makes the foot issue worth watching even without any indication yet that it will cost him significant time. For now, Tuesday's absence simply puts a pause on the momentum he had been building.
Aug 25, 2026 9:30 AM EST
Kenneth Walker III Getting Workhorse Treatment in Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has been everywhere in training camp. The Athletic reports that Walker is getting the ball "all the time," with the Chiefs leaning on him in the screen game and using him as the primary back in the red zone. That's a pretty sharp change from Seattle, where Zach Charbonnet took a big chunk of the work. Walker ran for 1,027 yards on 221 carries last season but scored only five times. Charbonnet, meanwhile, had 12 rushing touchdowns on 184 carries. Walker also caught 31 passes for 282 yards, and Kansas City has been testing that part of his game much more this summer. Andy Reid has rotated backs by series plenty over the years, but The Athletic says that doesn't appear to be the plan here. If the camp usage holds, Walker is headed for more catches, more goal-line chances and a heavier overall workload. That's a big fantasy boost for a back who already showed during Seattle's Super Bowl run that he can carry the load.
Aug 21, 2026 7:37 AM EST
Chiefs Hope Kenneth Walker Reshapes the Offense
According to Pete Sweeney, writer for The Kansas City Star, the Chiefs didn't just sign Kenneth Walker to run; they hope he reshapes the offense. The Chiefs went out and got the Super Bowl MVP Walker in the offseason from the Seahawks, and signed him to a three-year, $43.05 million contract to be the team's lead running back after they moved on from Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Walker, entering his age 25 season, was one of the NFL's most efficient runners in the league, as he ranked sixth in evaded tackles, fourth in explosive rating, third in breakaway, and 12th in yards per touch. Reports from camp have also suggested that the Chiefs brought him in for his explosiveness and plan to get him more involved in the passing game. Last season, his ceiling was capped by Zach Charbonnet, who had 12 rushing touchdowns, and Walker enters a Patrick Mahomes-led offense where he will not have much competition for touches with Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, and Brashard Smith behind him. RotoBaller ranks him as the RB10 for the season, and he has the upside to finish inside the top five given his projected workload and explosiveness.
Aug 20, 2026 5:35 PM EST
Kenneth Walker Could See His Biggest Workload Yet
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker could finally get the kind of workload he never quite had in Seattle. Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports that Walker is primed to be the Chiefs' clear workhorse after spending last season sharing carries with Zach Charbonnet. Walker still topped 1,000 yards, rushing 221 times for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, but he was on the field for only 46.8% of Seattle's offensive snaps. Charbonnet had 184 carries of his own and saw 50 red-zone rushes to Walker's 31. Kansas City has been showing off another part of Walker's game in camp, too, getting him loose on screens more than once. Patrick Mahomes has been openly excited about what Walker can add, and the Chiefs currently list him first on the depth chart ahead of Emari Demercado and rookie Emmett Johnson. More work near the goal line and in the passing game would make Walker even more interesting after an already efficient 2025 season.
Aug 13, 2026 11:10 AM EST
Kenneth Walker III Poised to Shine in Chiefs' Screen Game?
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III scored a long touchdown on a screen pass in training camp practice on Thursday and brings a new element to the team's screen game in 2026, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. Walker III is entering his first year in Kansas City after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Across 17 games with Seattle in 2025, the 25-year-old recorded 1,309 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 252 touches. Walker III's fantasy upside with the Seahawks was limited due to his shared workload with Seattle back Zach Charbonnet (knee). However, Kansas City appears set to deploy Walker III as a true three-down workhorse. His explosive ability in space could pair especially well with the Chiefs' screen game, which is operated by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and designed by Hall of Fame play-caller Andy Reid. Walker III carries high-end RB1 upside in redraft leagues entering 2026.
Jul 30, 2026 7:37 PM EST
Kenneth Walker III Primed for Workhorse Role in KC
New Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III finished the 2026 season with the Seattle Seahawks as just the No. 22 fantasy RB in half-PPR scoring after running for 1,027 yards and five rushing touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts, adding 31 receptions (36 targets) for 282 yards as a pass-catcher. But he went off in the postseason, leading the NFL in carries (65), rushing yards (313), and rushing touchdowns (four) on his way to being named Super Bowl MVP, and he parlayed that into a three-year deal with the Chiefs in free agency in March. Unlike in 2025 when he shared backfield touches with Zach Charbonnet, the 25-year-old former second-rounder out of Michigan State figures to be used as more of a true workhorse in his new digs as the Chiefs look to get back to the playoffs in 2026. Walker earned a reputation for being a run-first back in his four years with the Seahawks, but he suggested that the Chiefs could use him more as a pass-catcher, with rookie Emmett Johnson, Emari Demercado, and Brashard Smith vying for backup duties behind him. Walker also had a reputation for nagging lower-body injuries in Seattle. The volume increase in KC will give him a higher floor as more of a low-end RB1 target in 2026 fantasy drafts, but his injury history will also make him somewhat of an RB1 bust candidate in his first year in the AFC West.
Jul 22, 2026 7:40 PM EST
Kenneth Walker III has Been a Culture Fit With Chiefs
The Athletic's Jesse Newell writes that new running back Kenneth Walker III's "work ethic and no-nonsense style have already been an early culture fit" this offseason alongside Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The Chiefs paid up for Walker in free agency on a three-year deal, hoping that he'll add an explosive element to their running game that was sorely lacking in 2025 with the combination of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. The infusion of Walker's work ethic and no-nonsense style has been welcomed after they believed "their work standard and attention to detail slipped" during last year's 6-11 campaign. The 25-year-old had his second 1,000-yard rushing season in four years in the NFL in his final season in Seattle, and he capped it off by being named Super Bowl MVP in the Seahawks' win over the New England Patriots back in early February. If Walker is used more as a pass-catcher in Bieniemy's offense, he'll have an even higher floor as an RB1 in fantasy, although his lengthy history of lower-body injuries also gives him plenty of bust potential. RotoBaller currently has Walker ranked as the No. 9 fantasy RB for his first year in KC in 2026.
Jul 7, 2026 7:34 AM EST
Is Kenneth Walker III Still Undervalued in Redraft Leagues?
After being named the MVP of Super Bowl LX in February, running back Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year, $43 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in March. The 25-year-old has been a productive player over the past four years as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, averaging 1,140 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns per season. However, he's never recorded more than 255 touches in a season and had his 2025 workload with the Seahawks impacted by the presence of Seattle back Zach Charbonnet (knee). In Kansas City, Walker III profiles as the clear number one back and should see all the touches he can handle. As long as he can stay healthy, Walker III may currently be undervalued in redraft formats as a lower-end RB1.
Jun 18, 2026 8:31 AM EST
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