Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will not be playing in the upcoming Sunday night game against the New York Giants, due to a shoulder injury he sustained during a collision with tight end Travis Kelce in Week 1. Despite missing several games, there is growing optimism about Worthy’s nearing return, as he participated in practice, albeit in a limited capacity, throughout the week. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed cautious optimism, stating that Worthy has been making progress, though a definitive timeline for his return remains uncertain.
In addition to Worthy, rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals is also a point of uncertainty for the Chiefs, having been listed as questionable due to a knee issue that kept him from participating in the first two games of the season. Coach Reid remains hopeful but noncommittal, saying they will evaluate Royals’ condition closer to game time.
The incident that sidelined Worthy happened during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers when a miscommunication led him to collide with Kelce. On his “New Heights” podcast, Kelce took full responsibility for the mishap, admitting that his failure to maintain the proper route depth contributed to the collision. Though accidently hindered in his sophomore season, Worthy made an immediate impact as a rookie, becoming a key offensive weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, evidenced by his significant contributions including a standout performance in the Super Bowl.
Worthy’s absence is felt even more keenly due to the absence of another wide receiver, Rashee Rice, who is currently serving a six-game suspension for his involvement in a 2024 hit-and-run incident. The Chiefs will need to rely on other offensive players to fill the void in the upcoming games as they await the return of their key wide receivers.