The Philadelphia Eagles opened the season nearly one week ago, but they’ve already caught their share of breaks. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter didn’t face any additional suspension after being ejected in the opening seconds of the Eagles 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 and the Eagles are all systems go as they prepare for a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
While the Eagles will have to make a trip to Arrowhead Stadium for that game, they’ve already encountered a little bit of luck. Chiefs receivers Jalen Royals and Xavier Worthy’s status for Sunday’s game is up in the air, and the chances are good that they’ll miss two of Kansas City’s top targets after both playmakers missed practice on Wednesday.
Xavier Worthy & Jalen Royals Injury Status Could Give Eagles Big Break vs. Chiefs
Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports reported that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Worthy and Royals were the only players who wouldn’t practice for Kansas City on Wednesday. While he noted that both players are doing better while recovering from their injuries, he also said that Worthy won’t undergo surgery for his dislocated shoulder suffered last week against the Los Angeles Chargers and that short-term injured reserve is not under consideration.
Even if the Chiefs choose to take a long-term view, it would be great news for the Eagles. Philadelphia dominated Kansas City in last year’s Super Bowl, but Worthy was one player who got the best of them with a 50-yard touchdown reception. Worthy had even bigger expectations going into his second season, but those got derailed when he collided with Travis Kelce in the first quarter of Friday’s loss in Brazil.
Royals, meanwhile, was a fourth-round pick for the Chiefs out of Utah State but has missed the opener due to a knee injury. The absence of both receivers is a big deal as Kansas City is also without top target Rashee Rice, who will be serving the second game of a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The Chiefs still have a few viable targets, including Hollywood Brown, who caught 10 passes for 99 yards in the opener. But the Eagles will probably take all the help they can get after allowing CeeDee Lamb to catch seven passes for 110 yards in last week’s win over the Cowboys.
That damage could have been worse if it weren’t for several drops by Lamb and Philadelphia came out of that game with a major concern regarding cornerback Adoree Jackson, who allowed five catches for 103 yards on seven targets against the Cowboys.
Either way, anyone who misses time on Kansas City’s sideline is a good thing and could help the Eagles come away with an impressive win on the road in Week 2.