Kenneth Walker injury gives Chiefs rookie Emmett Johnson chance to earn larger role down the stretch

In a small sample size, Johnson, who has 26 carries for 111 yards this season, has proven difficult to take down. Per Sumer Sports data, he ranks first among running back with at least 25 carries in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.42). 

That shiftiness translates in the pass game, too, where Johnson has made his greatest impact. In Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, Johnson showed off his ability to make defenders miss on a pair of highlight-reel fourth-quarter receptions, the first on a 3rd-and-5 on the first play of the quarter when he stiff-armed linebacker Alex Singleton then juked safety Talanoa Hufanga on a 25-yard gain. 

On a screen pass during the next series, he broke free from a pair of tackle attempts at the line of scrimmage for a gain of 19 yards.

He repeated his ankle-breaking tendencies less than a week later in a win over the Indianapolis Colts, then produced his biggest play of the season on a 73-yard receiving touchdown at the Broncos in Week 8.

In that same game, Johnson turned what should have been a three-yard loss on a handoff when met in the backfield into a 15-yard gain.

Johnson hasn't had more than 10 touches in a game this season, and that was back in the blowout Week 1 over the Broncos. But he's in line for his heaviest workload of the season at the Falcons in Week 10, which could be the impetus for him commanding a larger offensive share over the second half of the season.