Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Sees first pro action in Week 4
Rotowire
Royals accrued zero targets during Sunday's 37-20 win against the Ravens.
Royals didn't accumulate any snaps in any of the first three weeks, but the Chiefs took hold of a sizable lead against the Ravens, enough so that in the second half, the bench players got into the mix. Royals remains buried on the depth chart at this juncture, and there's little reason to anticipate that changing, especially with Rashee Rice's six-game suspension expiring prior to the Week 7 clash with the Raiders.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Not involved in Week 3
Rotowire
Royals did not record a single snap in Sunday's 22-9 win over the Giants.
Royals was active for the first time in his rookie season, however, he did not see the field at all in the contest. The rookie wideout has been dealing with knee tendinitis since mid-August, but he was finally healthy enough to suit up in Week 3. Despite this, the coaching staff decided to keep Royals off the field after he practiced for the first time in a month ahead of Week 3. It's plausible to think the 22-year-old will continue to develop and see some usage in the Chiefs passing attack, but the impending returns of Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) likely will make it difficult for Royals to see a consistent role on offense. The Utah State product will look to see his first game action in Week 4 when the Chiefs host the Ravens.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: NFL debut in Week 3?
Rotowire
Royals (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Giants.
Despite practicing in full both Thursday and Friday, Royals is still questionable to play in Sunday's contest. The 2025 fourth-round pick from Utah State has yet to make his NFL debut after posting 126 receptions for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns over his final two seasons in college. If Royals is able to take the field in Week 3, he'll likely play a depth role in the Chiefs' wide receiver corps.
Royals (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Royals is practicing for the first time since having missed Kansas City's first two games of the regular season due to knee tendinitis, so to see him handling even limited reps is encouraging. The rookie fourth-round pick will work to continue progressing at practice and gain clearance in time to suit up Sunday night on the road against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Set to work at practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Coach Andy Reid said that Royals (knee) is in line to practice Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Royals, who has been managing knee tendinitis, is thus moving toward a potential return to action after missing the Chiefs' first two regular-season games. Once available, the 2025 fourth-rounder figures to compete with Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster for WR snaps that don't go to Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Hollywood Brown.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Remains sidelined Tuesday
Rotowire
Royals (knee) remained sidelined for Tuesday's practice, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.
Royals is battling knee tendinitis and missed the Chiefs' final preseason contest. Coach Andy Reid indicated Tuesday that Royals' return isn't imminent, according to Goldman. His availability for Week 1 against the Chargers on Sept. 5 appears to be in question. Royals' early-season role is to be determined behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown (ankle) and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: DNP due to knee tendinitis
Rotowire
Royals (knee tendinitis) won't practice Monday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
It remains to be seen whether Royals' knee tendinitis is something he can manage and possibly play through, but this injury has cropped up at an unfortunate time, with Kansas City's Sept. 5 regular-season opener against the Chargers fast approaching. The rookie fourth-round pick had been receiving some first-team reps in practice as Kansas City deals with numerous injuries to its receiving corps, and Royals has contributed 75 yards on two kickoff returns through two preseason games, in addition to catching three of five targets for 14 yards. The Chiefs will wrap up preseason play Friday against the Bears.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Totals 40 all-purpose yards in loss
Rotowire
Royals brought in three of five targets for 14 yards and returned one kickoff for 26 yards in the Chiefs' 20-17 preseason loss to the 49ers on Saturday night.
The rookie fourth-round pick was solid in his first taste of professional game action, and he logged a team-high target total while also tying for the lead in receptions. Royals will presumably have a steep climb to meaningful playing time as long as the Chiefs' top four receivers are available, but he could certainly see expanded opportunity whenever Rashee Rice serves what's expected to be a multi-game suspension.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Sees some first-team reps
Rotowire
Royals logged most of his repetitions during Wednesday's practice with the first-team offense, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.
Taylor notes that Royals fared well Wednesday while running routes alongside fellow wideouts Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. The report adds that the rookie fourth-rounder was often on the field when Rashee Rice wasn't, which is worth noting given the possibility Rice may be suspended by the NFL before the start of the season.
... See More... See Less
Chiefs' Jalen Royals: Picked up by Kansas City
Rotowire
The Chiefs selected Royals in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 133rd overall.
Royals spent his three-year college career at Utah State, and as a starter in his final two seasons he accumulated 126 catches for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns over 20 games. He was named to the First Team All-MWC roster in 2023 after leading the team in receiving yards (1,080) while setting a single-season school record with 15 receiving touchdowns. Royals suffered a season-ending right foot injury in October but was able to recover in time to participate in the Senior Bowl. He led the FBS with 10 catches of 50-plus yards over the past two seasons, and that big-play ability should translate well to the Chiefs' high-powered offense. Patrick Mahomes gets another offensive weapon in Royals, who will look to establish a role for himself in the passing attack alongside Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice (knee), Hollywood Brown and Travis Kelce.
