The Kansas City Chiefs will be without their star running back in Atlanta.

The Chiefs ruled out Kenneth Walker III on Saturday for Sunday's game against the Falcons because of a groin injury. He had been listed as questionable Friday.

Walker hurt his groin at practice Thursday and sat out Friday. The team is playing it safe. The injury is not believed to be a long-term concern.

A big loss for Kansas City

Walker has been the engine of the Chiefs' offense in his first season with the team. The Super Bowl LX MVP has 872 rushing yards and 127 receiving yards through eight games.

He is averaging 109 rushing yards a game. Only Atlanta's Bijan Robinson has run for more yards this season.

Emmett Johnson gets his first start

Rookie Emmett Johnson is in line to make the first start of his NFL career.

The fifth-round pick out of Nebraska has 111 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He has been even more dangerous as a receiver, with 14 catches for 237 yards and a score. That includes a 73-yard catch-and-run last week.

The Chiefs also called up running back Nate Carter from the practice squad. Carter has not played this season but appeared in seven games for Atlanta last year. Fellow rookie Jaydn Ott could also get carries.

Chris Jones travels on his own

Star defensive tackle Chris Jones will not travel with the team. The Chiefs said he will travel to Atlanta on his own for a personal reason. He has no injury designation for the game.

Kansas City also called up wide receiver Jacob De Jesus from the practice squad.

The matchup

The Chiefs are 6-2 and coming off a win over the Jets. Atlanta is 3-6 under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski but sits only half a game out of first place in the NFC South.

Kansas City's run defense will face Robinson, the league's leading rusher. Patrick Mahomes may also lean more on the passing game, which could mean more looks for newly added receiver Josh Downs in his first game as a Chief.

Kickoff is at noon Central on Sunday.