Jalen Royals’ injury threatens key chance to rise in Chiefs WR depth chart

As the roster picture for the Kansas City Chiefs becomes clearer with releases being reported on the day final cuts are due, the team is also getting an updated view of who will be healthy enough to play in Week 1.

The regular-season kickoff is just over a week away, with the Chiefs scheduled to visit Sao Paulo, Brazil to take on the L.A. Chargers in a divisional showdown on September 5. In the practices leading up to the game, it appears the Chiefs might be without some of their younger additions this offseason.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Tuesday before practice (and roster cuts), and he clarified the team’s injury list before taking the field.

Andy Reid provided an injury update for the Chiefs on the day final roster cuts were due.

“Some guys that won’t practice today are [Jack] Cochrane, Omarr [Norman-Lott], and Jalen Royals, but Cochrane and Omarr are doing a good job. They’re all doing a good job, but they’re probably a little closer than Jalen is.”

That short overview provided a few important bits of information for the state of the roster.

First, cornerback Nazeeh Johnson has been out with a shoulder injury, so the fact that he was able to be in practice today is a good sign going forward. Johnson is in a contract year, and it appears the secondary is at full strength after suffering several injuries in camp—including concerns for Kristian Fulton, Jaylen Watson, and Nohl Williams.

Second, Mike Edwards was also among the recently injured Chiefs, but he was waived before active rosters were due. Since Deon Bush was placed on injured reserve after the team’s preseason opener, it will be interesting to see how safety shakes out on the first 53-man roster.

Third, Cochrane has been dealing with a knee injury, and he was a potential candidate to start the season on the injured list. However, it sounds like he’s farther along and ready to return to the field sooner than later. That’s good news for the team’s LB depth.

Most importantly, Reid’s comment that Royals is a bit farther out from returning than Norman-Lott and Cochrane is noteworthy. The Chiefs have the pass catchers to sustain a high-powered offense, but losing Royals to start the year only hurts his development at a critical point.

Royals sat out the preseason finale against the Chicago Bears as well with knee tendinitis, and it’s plausible he could start the year on IR.

If Rashee Rice is not going to serve his suspension until mid-season, then these are prime weeks for a receiver like Royals, whose profile mirrors Rice, to learn the ropes before potentially being called on for greater reps. The Chiefs fourth-round draft choice will be a player to watch over the next week on further injury updates.

Still, the Chiefs should be fine as long as others stay healthy, with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton also available at wideout.