Jalen Royals injury update: Latest news on Chiefs rookie’s recovery timeline

The Kansas City Chiefs are even more shorthanded at wide receiver after rookie Jalen Royals was ruled out for the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Royals was drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft and managed to have a standout training camp before having a quiet preseason. With the suspension of receiver Rashee Rice, Royals was expected to have a role early on.

However, that was dashed for the season-opener after Royals was ruled out earlier in the week due to injury. Here’s what we know about the rookie’s status moving forward.

Jalen Royals injury update

Royals was listed on the Chiefs’ injury report with a knee issue. He did not practice at all this week before he was ruled out ahead of Friday. It remains unclear how long he’ll be out.

With Royals out, the Chiefs are going to lean more on veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, along with starters Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown.

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