2 key Chiefs struggling early during 2026 NFL training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs received a troubling reminder of the unpredictability of training camp when rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen suffered an apparent left knee injury during Saturday’s practice. Allen collided with cornerback Kaiir Elam while serving as a gunner on a punt rep. He remained on the ground and needed assistance to leave the field on a cart. The fifth-round pick had been one of Kansas City’s standout performers early in camp, earning first-team opportunities and praise from head coach Andy Reid.

In contrast, Patrick Mahomes has provided encouraging news. The quarterback has looked sharp as he returns from the ACL and LCL injuries that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025 season. Observers have noted that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery, and while Kansas City still needs to determine how aggressively to utilize him during the preseason, the initial practice sessions have strengthened confidence that he will be ready for Week 1.

However, not every player has inspired the same level of optimism. Although the Chiefs have only completed a few practices and have yet to hold their first fully padded session, two offensive players have already fallen behind.

Wide receiver Jalen Royals

Royals entered his second training camp needing a strong response after a quiet rookie season. Kansas City selected him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, providing the former Utah State receiver an opportunity to develop within an offense led by Mahomes. Unfortunately, knee tendinitis disrupted the start of his first season, delaying his professional debut and preventing him from building on the positive moments he had during training camp. By the end of the year, Royals had recorded only two receptions for four yards, and while these numbers did not diminish the Chiefs’ interest in his development, they made this camp particularly crucial. A second-year receiver cannot rely indefinitely on his draft status or physical potential; he must execute the offense, protect the football, and become a reliable target for the quarterback.

Early results have not been reassuring. During one of Kansas City’s first full-team practices, Royals caught a pass on the perimeter but lost the ball just a few steps later, and this fumble stood out because ball security is one of the quickest ways for a young offensive player to lose opportunities. A completed pass can instantly turn negative if the receiver fails to secure it, and coaches remember these mistakes when deciding on player rotations. The fumble is not the only reason his start has been concerning, of course, as Royals has been identified as the receiver facing the most challenges among the group, just as competition for offensive snaps is becoming more intense.

Kansas City entered camp with opportunities available behind its established players, making early practices a chance for Royals to elevate his standing. However, most positive attention has gone to others, while he has become associated with the unit’s struggles. Camp evaluations are influenced not only by mistakes but also by how quickly competitors demonstrate they deserve more work, and when another receiver earns the quarterback’s confidence, takes first-team repetitions, and consistently finishes catches, the performance standard rises for everyone else. Royals doesn’t have to dominate every practice, but he cannot let poor ball security and quiet stretches define his camp.

His challenge needs to extend beyond catching passes. Reid’s offense requires precise routes, awareness against changing coverages, and reliable execution once the ball arrives. Receivers must understand where Mahomes expects them to be during play changes and react without hesitation, and for a player who saw little regular-season action as a rookie, every rep is vital for proving his ability to function within that system, but the situation is already urgent.

Royals is no longer being evaluated solely as a developmental rookie, and the Chiefs need to know whether he can contribute now, especially on an offense trying to rebound from a disappointing season. He must secure the ball, create separation, and convert routine opportunities into completed plays. Until he does, his second camp will feel like a missed opportunity instead of the breakthrough he desperately needs.

Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore

Moore’s early struggles are evident in the distribution of first-team snaps. He began training camp as the projected favorite for the right tackle position, which the Chiefs needed to solidify after reshaping their offensive line, and with his experience and contract, Moore seemed poised to start the season alongside Kansas City’s established interior blockers.

But his position became less secure almost immediately. After participating with the projected starters during the first full-team practice, Moore was replaced at right tackle by undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson. Moore then moved to left tackle with the second-team offense, while Benson remained in the starting lineup for consecutive sessions. Although no coach publicly declared the competition over and early camp rotations can be experimental, this movement was hard to overlook.

A veteran expected to secure the job had lost crucial repetitions to an undrafted player, and this development is particularly significant because Moore is not a cheap depth option. Kansas City signed him to a two-year, $30 million contract before the 2025 season, investing in his ability to stabilize an offensive tackle position that has faced ongoing issues. He played in 15 games and started six during his first year with the Chiefs but entered 2026 needing to establish himself as a permanent starter. Instead, Benson’s rapid rise has placed Moore under scrutiny as one of the most watched veterans on the roster. The rookie has received praise for his strength, power, and approach to learning, adding pressure on Moore even before the pads come on, and when a younger and less expensive player performs well enough to earn first-team reps, the veteran needs to respond swiftly.

It would be unfair to claim that Moore has consistently struggled in live pass-rush situations without documented evidence. His challenge is more about his standing on the team than a record of poor performances, as he started as the presumed starter but, after just one practice, found himself working with the second unit. In a competition, this represents a loss of ground, regardless of whether the shift was meant to be a temporary evaluation. The next phase of camp should provide a more accurate assessment.

Offensive linemen are difficult to evaluate during non-padded practices because the conditions limit the power and contact essential to the position, and once the Chiefs begin full-contact work, Moore will have the opportunity to showcase improved technique, better balance, and his ability to protect the edge. The Chiefs’ primary concern is protecting Mahomes, especially after the quarterback’s serious knee injury, and they cannot assign a starting job based solely on salary, seniority, or preseason expectations.

The right tackle must demonstrate he can maintain the pocket and operate consistently within the running game. If Benson continues to fulfill those responsibilities with the starters, Moore’s path back to the first team will become increasingly challenging. Neither Royals nor Moore is out of time, as Royals can recover from an early turnover, and Moore can reclaim a starting position once padded practices begin, but camp competitions progress quickly. One has struggled to turn opportunities into reliable performances, while the other has seen his expected starting role transform into a genuine competition. Both now need a strong response before their difficult starts solidify into lasting roles.

The post 2 key Chiefs struggling early during 2026 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints.