New experiences await the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend as they head to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the first time as a team. Players and coaches will weather a long flight and then soak up whatever culture they can in South America before playing the Los Angeles Chargers in a Week 1 primetime matchup. But one player has been left at home.
The Chiefs left rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals back in Kansas City, the only player not to make the trip. Despite one day to go before official injury reports are submitted by both teams, Kansas City already got ahead of things by designating Royals out for the game.
Royals' absence from the plane (and the game) is not a major surprise, given that he's been dealing with a bout of knee tendinitis that goes back to the preseason.
The Chiefs WR room will be limited when they take the field at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
For the Chiefs, the absence of Royals is paired with the suspension of Rashee Rice, which leaves the wide receiver room at six players. It also removes two of the best pass catchers who can generate yards after the catch.
Royals, in particular, profiled as a potential fill-in for Rice while suspended. The Chiefs fourth-round rookie out of Utah State has strong hands and impressive speed, who is so dangerous with the football. His history of playing through contact and an elite burst leads to multiple missed tackles—something that's missing with Rice off the field as well.
With Royals out, the Chiefs will turn to second-year wideout Xavier Worthy and veteran Hollywood Brown to anchor the passing attack. They will be supported by JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Nikko Remigio, and Jason Brownlee.
It's unknown how long Royals will be out, but head coach Andy Reid intimated that he was on a longer timeline than other players dealing with minor injuries coming out of the preseason. Fortunately, the team has yet to place him on injured reserve which points to a sooner-than-later timeline for his pro debut.
Given that the Chiefs will have a few extra days before suiting up against the Philadelphia Eagles, Royals might be able to join in on the fun in the Week 2 matchup of Super Bowl LIX.