Broncos' Royal leaves game with groin injury

Broncos receiver Eddie Royal was helped off the field after hurting his groin on a pass play Sunday against Cincinnati. Royal was running down the field on a deep route when he pulled up and fell to the turf right in front of Cincinnati's bench. Royal had to be helped back across the field by Broncos trainers. Royal's return is listed as questionable. The banged-up Broncos already were without Pro Bowler Brandon Lloyd, who didn't suit up against the Bengals because of a groin injury. That left the team with only three healthy receivers before Royal's injury. So thin are the Broncos at wideout that backup quarterback Tim Tebow lined up as a slot receiver for a play. Earlier in the game, tight end Julius Thomas left with an ankle injury.