The last few weeks have featured a wide emotional range for Chiefs Kingdom as it pertains to the health of wide receiver Xavier Worthy. From early-season worries that he might miss a significant portion of the season to burgeoning hope that he could return after just a week away, it seems the Chiefs have the clarity they need on Worthy's recovery to give him a green light for Week 4.
The Chiefs are scheduled to host the visiting Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead on Sunday in a clash of unexpectedly frustrated contenders. Both teams are 1-2 and in the basements of their respective divisions, which is a rare place for both. Both franchises are still holding forth visions of Super Bowl victories, but one roster will be 1-3 after September closes.
Given the Chiefs' offensive concerns through three weeks, the status of Worthy is of interest to anyone in Kansas City, since the former first-round pick from 2024 is the team's most dynamic playmaker on offense. Unfortunately, he was lost just three plays into his second season after a freak collision with tight end Travis Kelce while running routes.
The Chiefs are expecting Xavier Worthy to be able to play on Sunday.
While playing with a torn labrum sounds like a tall order, it's been done before, and Worthy seems ready to go for the Chiefs after missing what was essentially three full games. When head coach Andy Reid was asked whether Worthy would play against Baltimore or not, he responded, "Yeah, unless something went on today that I don’t know about. "
Reid spoke to those who might take issue with Worth playing so soon after injuring his shoulder, saying that the Chiefs aren't going to an irresponsible approach to player health.
"You’ve gotta be healthy enough to go play. We’re not going to put him out there if he’s not healthy enough to go play," said Reid. "Then it’s where he feels comfortable.
"He feels good and the other team, they’re going to play hard no matter what, whether you have a shoulder or not there. They’re going to try to knock you around a little bit. That’s why you want to make sure that you’re in the right frame of mind to go do it and physically okay."
Worthy had a strong rookie season for the Chiefs in 2024 and finished the year with a productive surge that led all NFL receivers in postseason stats at the position. Worthy had 19 catches for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns for K.C. in a losing bid for a three-peat.
With the emergence of Tyquan Thornton and the debut of Jalen Royals on Sunday, Patrick Mahomes will have more weapons at his disposal than in any other game so far in 2025. The Ravens always play the Chiefs tough, but K.C. has more offensive hope than its had in a while.