Kansas City Chiefs' Surprise Early Season Trend Unlikely to Continue

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has 56 touches in the first two weeks, but can he sustain that workload?

by Ryan Dodson

Sep 23, 2026

Kenneth Walker III

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs’ early season surprise trend is how frequently running back Kenneth Walker III has been utilized, according to ESPN’s Nate Taylor. Walker, affectionately known as “K-9”, has 56 touches through the first two games of the season. The Chiefs’ big splash in free agency has been everything and more in the first two games as he has amassed 290 yards on 47 rushes and 79 yards on nine receptions. He has one touchdown on the ground and one through the air.

There are multiple reasons why Walker has been used so heavily. The Chiefs have injuries on the offensive line that protects cornerstone quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is also returning from major knee reconstruction. Walker has been too good to ignore, rushing for 6.2 yards per carry. He also invites that type of workload, which he really didn’t have in his four years in Seattle. He has done everything from rushing, providing pass protection, and becoming a valuable target on third down.

This type of workload can’t continue, though, and it likely won’t as soon as Week 3. The Chiefs took running back Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after he posted monstrous numbers at Nebraska. He led the Big Ten with 251 rushes for 1,451 yards (5.8 yards per carry) with 12 touchdowns. He also caught 46 passes for 370 yards. He has looked good in limited work in his first two NFL games with 10 rushes for 39 yards and four catches for 64 yards.

“Part of (Walker’s workload) has been to allow Emmett to grow,” head coach Andy Reid said. “Emmett will continue to get more snaps, and that’ll take a little bit of the load off of Walker. (Walker) wants the ball every play. As it goes, you’ll get a nice balance with those two.”

The Chiefs travel to face the Miami Dolphins (0-2) Sunday. The Dolphins have been one of the worst teams against opposing running backs, allowing 206 yards on the ground and 115 yards through the air through two games.