The Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiving corps took another major hit in Friday night’s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Second-year receiver Xavier Worthy collided with tight end Travis Kelce on a third-down pass and had to be helped off the field. With Rashee Rice suspended to begin the season and rookie Jalen Royals sidelined by a knee injury, the Chiefs entered the game already thin at the position.
Now, after losing Worthy early, Kansas City’s offense struggled to find rhythm and ultimately fell to the Chargers, 27-21, in a disappointing start to the 2025 campaign.
What the Sports Doctor Thinks About Worthy’s Injury
As of now, the Chiefs have not released an official update on Worthy’s condition. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters after the game that the team will know more once they return from Brazil, with an MRI scheduled for Worthy in Kansas City to determine the severity of his shoulder injury.
In the meantime, sports medicine physician Jesse Morse, well-known on X for his injury analysis, has offered a concerning early opinion. In a video breakdown of the play, Morse suggested that Worthy may have sustained a serious shoulder injury, one that could potentially sideline him for a significant stretch of the season.
The setback is especially disappointing given Worthy’s promising rookie year, where he appeared in all 17 games and recorded 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns.
If Worthy is indeed out long-term, the Chiefs’ already thin wide receiving corps could force the front office into action. NFL insider Josina Anderson has floated Odell Beckham Jr. as a possible reinforcement should Kansas City look to the free-agent market.
Chiefs WR Depth Concerns
The Chiefs’ wide receiver depth has quickly become a concern just one week into the 2025 season. Already without Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension, the team took another major blow when Worthy suffered a shoulder injury in the season opener against the Chargers.
That leaves the Chiefs leaning heavily on Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster to carry the load. Beyond them, Kansas City has a group of unproven or situational players, including Jason Brownlee, Tyquan Thornton, and Nikko Remigio.
Rookie Jalen Royals, a promising third-round pick out of Utah State, has yet to make his debut as he works his way back from a knee injury. On the practice squad, undrafted receiver Jimmy Holiday remains an option for a call-up if depth becomes a bigger issue.
With their top two weapons sidelined, the Chiefs’ passing game is suddenly one of the team’s biggest question marks — and could force the front office to consider outside reinforcements.
