Andy Reid’s Xavier Worthy update leaves Chiefs fans bracing for bad news

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo on Sept. 5 came with a bigger hit than the final score. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy left the game in the first quarter after colliding with tight end Travis Kelce and never returned.

Head coach Andy Reid’s postgame comments have fueled concern that Kansas City’s second-year star may not be back right away.

Andy Reid confirms Xavier Worthy shoulder injury and MRI evaluation

Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Xavier Worthy injured his shoulder early and would need an MRI once the team returned. “(Xavier) Worthy hurt his shoulder right early in the game,” Reid said. He added that linebacker Drue Tranquill, linebacker Nick Bolton, and defensive end Ashton Gillotte were also banged up but finished the game.Worthy was ruled out shortly after the first quarter and walked to the locker room after trainers tended to him on the sideline. The Chiefs drafted him in 2024 for his speed and ability to stretch defenses, and he quickly became Patrick Mahomes’ most reliable deep threat last season. With Rashee Rice already suspended for six games, Kansas City cannot afford to lose Worthy for long.

Xavier Worthy injury could sideline him against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2

The timing of Xavier Worthy’s injury is brutal for Kansas City, which faces the Philadelphia Eagles next.

Without him, the Chiefs will lean on JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and Tyquan Thornton. The offensive burden again shifts to Travis Kelce, now 35, to be Mahomes’ go-to option.Sports medicine analyst Dr. Deepak Chona shared his assessment on X, suggesting the play looked like a shoulder dislocation. “Best case is non-operative treatment, average three weeks to return. Re-injury rate is very high at about 50%,” Chona wrote.

“Worst case, he has a large tear or fracture, and he shuts it down for surgery.”If surgery is required, the Chiefs would lose their projected WR1 for several weeks. Reid may be forced to increase the workload for running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Rookie Brashard Smith could also step in, while Kansas City may consider another in-season trade for a receiver, as it did with DeAndre Hopkins in 2024.

Kansas City Chiefs history of early-season injuries at skill positions raises new concerns

This latest setback fits an ugly pattern for Kansas City. In 2024, the Chiefs lost Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Isiah Pacheco to injuries by Week 4, forcing Mahomes to manage with a rotating cast of receivers and running backs.

This year, Rice is suspended, rookie Jalen Royals’ debut has been delayed with a knee issue, and now Worthy’s status is uncertain.Worthy’s rookie season proved he could be durable despite his lighter frame at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. He played all 17 games and finished second in both receptions and yards. Losing him now, right as the Chiefs attempt to reset their offense, would be a significant blow.Read more:Fans bewildered as Teair Tart ‘b*tch slapped’ Travis Kelce and got away with it