Heading into Week 2, Kansas City Chiefs fans have been treated to a series of positive updates on wide receiver Xavier Worthy before their favorite team takes the field to host the Philadelphia Eagles. While Worthy is not available for Sunday's game, there's very good news on the horizon.
NFL reporter Ian Rapoport has word that the Chiefs are expecting Worthy to play as soon as next week, meaning that a shoulder dislocation suffered early in Week 1 will only cost him two games (he missed basically the entirety of the team's season-opening loss against the L.A. Chargers).
Specifically, Rapoport pointed out the fact that Kansas City will be without its top two receivers for Patrick Mahomes in Week 2, but that void should be filled in part by Worthy's return against the New York Giants.
"Worthy is looking good to play next week for the Chiefs, and if he does so, he will do it with a fully torn labrum and a harness. It sounds crazy, but it is something that several NFL players do," said Rapoport.
There's help on the horizon for the Chiefs' offense with the latest Xavier Worthy update.
The Chiefs face the Giants in Week 3, which could be an interesting game in itself with rookie Jaxson Dart or veteran Russell Wilson dealing with a QB controversy for Brian Daboll's offense.
The Chiefs face a tall order against the Eagles, even at full strength, in their home opener in Week 2. Philly dominated the Chiefs in the trenches en route to a very easy victory in Super Bowl LIX back in February. The highly-anticipated rematch was one of the NFL's marquee games looming on the 2025 regular-season schedule.
Without Worthy and Rice in Week 2, the Chiefs' game plan could look interesting, with a greater emphasis on bigger packages and the ground game. Hollywood Brown will carry a significant part of the offensive load, but Tyquan Thornton could be an x-factor against the Eagles.
Worthy's eventual return will be a serious boost for the Chiefs' offense, as he will immediately slot in as the most dynamic playmaker in the team's passing attack. Worthy was the Chiefs' first-round choice in 2024 and enjoyed a very successful rookie season with 59 catches for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns. Even better was how comfortable Worthy looked in the postseason, as he led the entire NFL in catches, yards, and scores.
If Rapoport is right, Worthy's return will come at an ideal primetime showing on Sunday Night Football in Week 3 at MetLife Stadium.