NFL Player News

Royals (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's battle against the Bills, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Royals is inactive as a coach's decision for the second straight week. The rookie wideout has logged 35 offensive snaps over four games this season and has yet to draw a target.

Smith (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

The right guard was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday before participating in full Friday. Smith has started all seven games he's played in this season and all 87 regular-season and playoff games that he's played in during his career.

Mitchell is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

With Mitchell a healthy scratch and Isiah Pacheco (knee) having previously been ruled out, look for Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith to lead the Chiefs' Week 9 backfield, with practice squad elevation Clyde Edwards-Helaire also available to mix in.

Moore is slated to work as the No. 3 receiver in Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Chiefs due to Joshua Palmer being ruled inactive due to a knee injury.

Moore worked in a No. 3 capacity in a Week 8 blowout win over the Panthers, bringing in one of four targets for 14 yards across 29 snaps. With Sunday's game expected to be much more competitive and Josh Allen potentially pushed into a higher pass rate than usual, Moore, who has a 5-78-0 line on 11 targets over his first six games in Buffalo, could be a beneficiary as a tertiary option in the air attack.

Schmitz (shin) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the 49ers, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmitz went to the locker room after sustaining a shin injury early in the third quarter, and the third-year pro will not return to Sunday's game after being evaluated by medical staff. Austin Schlottmann will serve as the Giants' center the rest of the way.

Howard (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against Denver.

Howard was deemed questionable to return late in the second quarter before being ruled out in the third period. He'll need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to be able to suit up next Sunday against Jacksonville. Blake Fisher has stepped into Howard's spot at right tackle.

Kmet won't return to Sunday's contest at Cincinnati due to a concussion, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kmet paid a visit to the sideline tent in the second quarter and then went to the locker room before the Bears announced that he was being checked for a concussion. With a head injury confirmed, he'll be out until he gains clearance from an independent neurologist. Rookie second-round pick Colston Loveland is set to lead Chicago's TE group during Kmet's absence.

Harris has a shin injury and will not return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.

The linebacker did not record a stat before leaving the contest. Harris has played more on special teams than defense this year.

Stroud (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Before sustaining a concussion and being replaced by Davis Mills, Stroud completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 79 yards and carried twice for 12 yards. Stroud will now look to clear concussion protocol ahead of next Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Jones hurt his shoulder during Sunday's contest in Detroit.

After a three-yard run at the start of the third quarter, Jones went to the medical tent and has remained there since then. He was sitting on nine carries for 78 yards and two catches (on two targets) for 20 yards at the time he exited. Jordan Mason is poised for more work for as long as Jones is on the sideline.