The Chiefs will be without their rookie receiver when they travel to Brazil to play the Los Angeles Chargers. Royals is dealing with a knee injury. While injuries are never convenient, the timing does hurt as the Chiefs view Royals as an adequate replacement for Rice. 

Royals’ skill set match would be perfect in the absence of Rice. Expect Patrick Mahomes to funnel targets to Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy. A sneaky roster move is to pick up rookie running back Brashard Smith if he is available on the waiver wire. Smith ran with the first team offense plenty during training camp and drafters have aspirations of Smith filling the Jerick McKinnon role. Smith should be on benches everywhere as his role could grow into must start territory; a potential league winner.

Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)