The Kansas City Chiefs got positive news on WR Xavier Worthy on Sunday morning. During their season-opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night, the second-year receiver collided with teammate TE Travis Kelce on a crossing route on the first series of the game. He was down on the field for several moments and immediately left the game, clutching his shoulder. By halftime, he was ruled out with a shoulder injury, and there was speculation he was undergoing x-rays.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder on Friday night in São Paulo. The Chiefs hope he can return soon wearing a brace, which would be a huge boost for their offense. Dislocated shoulders do take significant time to fully heal, but it sounds like Kansas City plans on playing Worthy through it.
With the ongoing suspension of WR Rashee Rice — who will miss the next five games — Worthy will be relied upon heavily. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Worthy was a big part of their game plan in Brazil, and his loss so early in the game no doubt played a major factor in the Chiefs’ loss.
The Kansas City Chiefs Need Worthy Back as Soon as Possible
Jamie Squire/GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 26: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs dives for a touchdown against Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Worthy was supposed to be the Chiefs’ go-to offensive weapon this season, at least for the first six games while Rice is out. Kelce is slowing down a bit as he gets older, and while he can still come through in big moments, the days of him being a focal point of the offense are likely over.
In the meantime, the Chiefs will need to lean on WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. A former first-round pick himself, Brown came through in a big way Friday night, with 10 receptions for 99 yards. He’s sure to be QB Patrick Mahomes’ primary target with Rice and Worthy out, though JuJu Smith-Schuster will also be a factor.
Rookie Jalen Royals might be thrust into a larger role than expected, though he’s dealing with his own injury. Tyquan Thornton and Jason Brownlee are also options on the outside.
Xavier Worthy Had a Strong Rookie Season
The No. 28 overall pick in 2024, the Chiefs traded up four spots with the Bills to select Worthy. He set (and still holds) the NFL Combine record for fastest 40-yard dash, with a blistering 4.22-second time. His speed alters how defenses need to defend him, and the offense he’s a part of.
Kansas City used Worthy in a variety of ways as a rookie. They’d get him free releases off the line to run deep, yes, but he also took jet sweeps, screens, handoffs from the backfield, drag routes designed to get him in space, and more. He totaled 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns, to go with 104 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Especially with Rice’s absence to start the season, Worthy was going to shoulder more responsibility in the Chiefs’ offense. Now, the focus is just about getting him back on the field healthy as soon as possible.
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