The Kansas City Chiefs seem to have a curse with their skill position group. Last year, the team lost Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Isiah Pacheco to injury by the fourth week of the season, playing without the three for the majority of the year. This year, they might have been hoping for a different outcome. However, so far, things are not off to a good start.
After Rice was suspended for six games to begin the year, rookie Jalen Royals’ debut was also delayed with a knee injury. Things went from bad to worse almost immediately after their Week 1 clash against the Los Angeles Chargers got underway.
On the first offensive possession of the game, last year’s rookie standout Xavier Worthy suffered an injury that ruled him out for the game. Unfortunately, things might go from bad to worse for the sophomore star.
What Happened to Xavier Worthy?
On the Chiefs’ opening drive, a third-and-long play saw Patrick Mahomes targeting Worthy for a completion. However, during his route, the second-year star collided with veteran tight end Travis Kelce.
Worthy stayed down for several moments, clearly favoring his arm and shoulder, and soon left for the locker room. Reports confirmed he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
At that point, he had registered just one carry without any gain, with no receptions coming his way. The severity of the injury is unclear, but there is a brutal worst-case scenario that Worthy has to consider.
Deepak Chona, who qualifies as an MD in SMA, took to X to break down the injury in detail. Highlighting the collision that got him injured, Chona declared that there was a clear dislocation. However, he also gave the possible timelines that Kansas City would have to manage.
#Chiefs Xavier Worthy – If shoulder dislocation…
Best case = Avg 3 wks, very high (50%) re-injury rate
Worst = surgery, out for season https://t.co/Yo797D6V3B pic.twitter.com/jLSOJ3LRk5
— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) September 6, 2025
“Best case is non-operative treatment, average three weeks to return.” However, that comes with its own risk. “Re-injury rate is very high at about 50%.” The alternative, though, might somehow be worse.
“Worst case, he has a large tear or fracture, and he shuts it down for surgery. That decision depends partly on the extent of the damage, partly on personal risk tolerance.” If that turns out to be the case, the Chiefs would lose their projected WR1 for the next five weeks.
Latest Update on Worthy’s Injury
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder, though additional tests are still pending. It remains unclear how much time the 22-year-old wide receiver will miss.
Rapoport added that surgery is still a possibility, but Worthy could potentially return this season. More clarity will be provided once the tests are completed, and the Chiefs will hope Worthy will be able to return soon.
“My understanding is Xavier Worthy, the electric receiver who suffered that injury right there at the friendly fire, suffered a dislocated shoulder,” Rapoport said. “It is unclear as of right now how much time he’s going to miss; still soliciting a second opinion. I am told the most likely option is for him to be able to brace it up and return this season. However, tests are pending, and surgery is still, as of right now, an option.”
From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder in Brazil and he’s still undergoing tests. But the hope is he can return with a brace; Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey was a big part of walk-through on Saturday, a sign he’s trending to go. pic.twitter.com/kVRG9wxI0U
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2025
It’s eerily reminiscent of the 2024 season. Without Worthy and Rice in the lineup, head coach Andy Reid will need to explore other options to limit the impact, likely leaning more on the run game with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.
At the same time, rookie Brashard Smith could see an expanded role in the coming weeks. On the wide receiver side, Kansas City might be forced to make a move similar to last season, when the franchise acquired DeAndre Hopkins midway through the campaign.
