Former Nebraska running back ready to help Kansas City Chiefs

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A former Nebraska running back says he is willing to take on new responsibilities to get on an NFL field this season. Kansas City Chiefs rookie Emmett Johnson recently spoke with the media and publicly embraced his role on the Chiefs' special teams unit.

Johnson was selected by the Chiefs with pick 161 in the fifth round. The Minneapolis native is the first Husker running back selected in the NFL draft since the Detroit Lions selected Ameer Abdullah with pick 54 in the second round. Johnson was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year for his performance last season.

In 12 games last season, he had 1,451 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 46 catches for 370 yards, bringing his all-purpose yards total to 1,821 yards, second in the nation for running backs.

Johnson appeared in 41 games in his Nebraska career and recorded 2,460 yards in 458 carries. He joins a Chiefs team that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in rushing last season.

Running back Kareem Hunt led the team with 611 rushing yards. Johnson's role will likely expand beyond special teams as the season unfolds, but he is ready to do whatever the team asks of him if he can help the team win.

“That’s how you get on the field, man. That’s how you help the team win. If I’m not a starter, I want to go out and help on kick returns, punt returns, whatever it takes to help the team. That’s bigger than anything to me. I take big pride in helping the game in all phases and special teams can make or break a game.”

Kansas City opens the NFL Preseason at home when they host the LA Rams on Saturday, August 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Former Nebraska running back ready to help Kansas City Chiefs

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