KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fifth-round picks don’t often make NFL rosters, but Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson has likely not only played his way onto the roster but will have an important role.
Johnson had seven carries for 39 yards and added two catches for 15 yards in the Chiefs’ 9-9 tie against the Seahawks on Friday at Arrowhead Stadium in their preseason finale. Johnson, who played four years at Nebraska, said he has learned what it takes to play in the NFL.
“Consistency and showing up every single day,” Johnson said. “This level, you definitely got to show up ready to work every single day and you can’t take no days for granted.”
It appears Johnson has done just that in his short time with the Chiefs. In three preseason games, Johnson finished with 26 rushes for 123 yards and a touchdown with six catches for 35 yards.
Starting running back Kenneth Walker didn’t play against the Seahawks, and Johnson drew the start and got to take snaps with some of the Chiefs’ first-team offense. Johnson played three drives on Friday night before watching the rest of the game from the sideline.
Johnson could be the team’s backup for Week 1 – though Emari Demercado and Brashard Smith also got reps as the backup during the preseason.
“I got a lot more comfortable within the offense,” Johnson said. “And also when you know what you need to do, you can play a lot more freely and the game starts to slow down. So that’s what’s started to happen.”
Fellow rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier started and played the whole game, completing 22 of 34 passes for 198 yards and an interception, while edge rusher R Mason Thomas had a sack and a forced fumble. First-round pick cornerback Mansoor Delane also had a big tackle for loss, which has Chiefs coach Andy Reid excited for the future.
“You’re looking for guys that can come in and help and be part of it and you feel comfortable rotating them in a game or starting in a game,” Reid said. “And we’re coming out feeling pretty good about that.”
The Chiefs will trim their roster to 53 on Sunday then it’s full speed ahead to get ready for the regular season and the Broncos on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead on Monday Night Football.
“I’m ready, I’m excited,” Johnson said. “I’m going to take this week, watch film, see if there’s anything I can do better and kind of get ready and hopefully make the 53-man roster and go from there.”
