The Kansas City Chiefs suffered an early blow to their receiving corps when promising second-year wideout Xavier Worthy exited the 2025 season opener after just three snaps.
The 21-year-old sustained a dislocated shoulder following a freak collision with teammate Travis Kelce during the game in São Paulo, Brazil.
It was a cruel twist for a player expected to step into a major role, especially with Rashee Rice serving a six-game suspension stemming from an off-field incident in 2024.
Following the game, head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Worthy would undergo further medical evaluation in Kansas City, including an MRI to determine the extent of the damage.
While initial fears pointed to the possibility of surgery, Reid later clarified that surgical intervention was not currently being considered.
Instead, the team is opting for a non-surgical rehabilitation plan that includes physical therapy and a custom shoulder brace. This approach suggests a less severe dislocation but still leaves Worthy’s short-term availability in serious doubt.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Chiefs are seeking multiple medical opinions to determine the safest and quickest path to recovery.
However, even under ideal circumstances, shoulder dislocations typically require multiple weeks to heal.
Medical analysts estimate a minimum of 3-4 weeks for return in non-surgical cases, assuming no complications and no recurrence risk. That timeline puts Worthy’s Week 2 status firmly in question.
Will Xavier Worthy suit up against Philadelphia?
The Chiefs now face the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, a rematch of the big game in New Orleans last February.
In that game, despite Kansas City‘s defeat, Worthy was one of the lone bright spots, recording 157 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets. Unfortunately for Chiefs fans, a repeat of that performance appears highly unlikely this weekend.
Worthy missed Wednesday’s practice entirely, and the team has not placed him on Injured Reserve, a move that would sideline him for at least four games.
That small glimmer of hope implies Kansas City believes he could return sooner, but not this week. As things stand, Worthy is listed as doubtful and will likely sit out Sunday’s clash.
The injury couldn’t come at a worse time. Rookie wideout Jalen Royals also missed practice with a knee issue, further thinning the depth chart.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is now the team’s top healthy receiver, while JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton will see expanded roles. Travis Kelce, despite his involvement in the collision, is expected to be a key target for Patrick Mahomes in Worthy‘s absence.
With matchups against the Eagles, Ravens, and Lions ahead, Kansas City‘s offense faces an early-season test of resilience.
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