Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The fourth-round pick has been sidelined for multiple weeks with knee tendinitis and did not travel with the team to Brazil on Wednesday. Royals was expected to provide depth behind third-year starter Rashee Rice, who is suspended for the first six games. With both Royals and Rice unavailable, veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster is positioned to take on a larger role. Smith-Schuster, who rejoined the Chiefs in 2024 after Rice suffered a season-ending LCL injury, has an opportunity to stabilize the passing game early in the year. Royals' next opportunity to make his NFL debut is against the Philadelphia Eagles. - Nathan Harvey
Sep 3, 2025 8:59 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) was the only Chiefs player not to practice on Tuesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. This shouldn't be much of a surprise, as Reid said just last week that Royals wasn't expected to be available to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in Brazil on Friday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers as he continues to work his way through knee tendinitis. The 22-year-old is a worthy dynasty/keeper league stash in KC's offense, but fantasy managers in most single-year formats can leave Royals to the waiver wire to open the year. It remains to be seen if he'll be ready to make his NFL debut in Week 2 in a rematch of the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Rashee Rice opening the year serving a suspension, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster should be the team's top three wideouts.
Sep 2, 2025 3:23 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) sat out of practice on Sunday. Head coach Andy Reid told the media that the rookie was the only active roster player sidelined. The fourth-round pick is battling knee tendinitis, and his professional debut for Week 1 is in doubt. Royals entered training camp with the opportunity to earn an early-season role with the looming suspension for Rashee Rice. Royals' short-term, redraft outlook is diminishing, but he remains an intriguing long-term option in dynasty formats. Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown (ankle), who has returned to practice, are slated to be the top wideouts for Kansas City when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Friday.
Aug 31, 2025 7:25 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) is unlikely to suit up for Week 1 as he works his way back from injury. The fourth-round pick from Utah State entered camp competing with Marquise Brown and others for a role in one of the league's deepest receiver groups. Royals' strengths lie in his route savvy, body control, and ability to fight through contact, making him a tough cover when healthy. While his short-term redraft outlook is limited, he remains an intriguing dynasty stash given Kansas City's long-term need for young playmakers to emerge around Patrick Mahomes.
Aug 29, 2025 1:19 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) is currently banged up and missed practice on Tuesday, but FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz says he's a name to watch during Rashee Rice's six-game suspension to begin the 2025 season. Wideout Tyquan Thornton is another name to watch after he had an exceptional training camp to earn himself a 53-man roster spot. Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown and tight end Travis Kelce should be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top aerial targets through the first six games with Rice suspended, but both Royals and Thornton could also get involved. The 22-year-old Royals is currently battling knee tendinitis that caused him to miss the preseason finale, and his availability for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5, is in question. JuJu Smith-Schuster is another receiver who could benefit from Rice's suspension.
Aug 27, 2025 1:05 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) did not practice on Tuesday, per Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. Royals has now been out for over a week as he battles knee tendinitis. A fourth-round pick out of Utah State, Royals was reportedly turning some heads in training camp before getting injured. He's likely to start the season in a reserve role, but he could eventually be called upon for more if Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice is hit with a suspension at some point this season. Royals is not worthy of a draft pick in the majority of redraft fantasy leagues, but he's a name to monitor on the waiver wire.
Aug 26, 2025 8:29 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) will not practice Monday due to knee tendinitis. The fourth-round pick is expected to begin the season in a reserve role but could earn more opportunities as the year progresses. With Marquise Brown also battling injuries this preseason, Royals may be positioned for an increased role if he can stay healthy. The Chiefs' offense ranked just 16th in total yards last season and is searching for playmakers to complement Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy. Royals is best left on waivers in redraft but is worth a mid-round dynasty stash.
Aug 18, 2025 2:35 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals continues to impress early in training camp and had one of the best days on the field during practice on Friday, according to Jesse Newell of The Kansas City Star. Royals had an impressive back-shoulder sideline catch on a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he continues to work in with the starting offensive unit. The 22-year-old fourth-round selection also turned heads in Wednesday's practice while working alongside Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown, almost of his time with the first-team offense has come when Rashee Rice hasn't been on the field. It's notable because of the fact that Rice could be suspended three or four games to start the 2025 season, so Royals could have a role early on for the Chiefs. When Rice is available, though, Royals will face an uphill battle for consistent playing time, especially with KC using a lot of two-TE formations.
Jul 25, 2025 1:10 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals "took most of his repetitions with the first-team offense" during the team's practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Nate Taylor. Taylor notes that Royals worked alongside Chiefs wideouts Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, while Rashee Rice was "oftentimes" on the sideline. With Rice facing a suspension to begin the season, it appears as though Royals may be the leading candidate to earn playing time in his absence. Kansas City drafted Royals in the fourth round of the 2025 draft out of Utah State. He played in just seven games last year in college but still managed 55 catches for 834 yards and six touchdowns. The Chiefs also have veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore, who could step into a bigger role while Rice is sidelined. It's a good sign for Royals that he appears to be the preferred option early in camp.
Jul 24, 2025 2:10 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jalen Royals appears to have a chance to be involved in the offense during the 2025-26 campaign sooner rather than later. "He can make an impact immediately," said Greg Castillo, Kansas City's western regional scout. "He can separate with the short route and he can separate with the intermediate route. He's got a ton of versatility. The 2025 No. 133 overall pick had a quality collegiate career, totaling 21 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Utah State. He also averaged 15.2 yards per catch during that span. The Chiefs have an experienced wide receiver group, consisting of Rashee Rice (knee), Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. In addition, tight end Travis Kelce will return for another season. But considering nagging injuries were a theme for the receiving corps last season, Royals is someone who may have a shot to contribute earlier than anticipated. Although his redraft stock isn't high, he's someone dynasty managers can consider later in rookie drafts.
May 17, 2025 1:19 PM EST
Fourth-round rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals officially signed his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, according to Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports. The Utah State product was viewed by many as a potential Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he ultimately fell to the defending AFC Champions in Round 4. In 20 games over the last two seasons, Royals collected 126 receptions for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns. His landing spot with Patrick Mahomes is exciting, but he's not likely to make a significant fantasy football impact in Year 1 while sharing an offense with Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Marquise Brown. He's worth a late-round flyer in dynasty setups, but redraft expectations should be tempered.
May 14, 2025 4:04 PM EST
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