The Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 11 facing uncertainty at two key positions: wide receiver and running back. Starters Xavier Worthy and Isiah Pacheco are both dealing with injuries, leaving their availability in doubt following the bye week. After an imperfect start to the season, the 5-4 group would love to have both playmakers back on the field to stay in the playoff hunt and uphold their status as Super Bowl 60 favorites.
What is Worthy’s Week 11 Status?
Worthy’s season has been a challenge, with injuries slowing him down from the start. He dealt with a lingering shoulder issue from Week 1 and picked up an ankle problem before Week 5. The shoulder caused him to miss Weeks 2 and 3, but he returned in Week 4 against Baltimore.
By Weeks 7 and 8, Worthy was practicing fully despite the lingering ankle and shoulder concerns. In Week 9, he finally appeared healthy, playing without limitations for the first time since opening night. The extra days off in Week 10 gave him more time to rest and recover.
Unfortunately, Worthy was limited in practice on Thursday ahead of Week 11 because of his ankle. It’s unclear whether this is a new issue or simply a precautionary measure for a player who has dealt with injuries throughout the season.
Of course, Worthy will want to be on the field. The speedster has been solid in his six complete games, catching 24 passes for 256 yards and a receiving touchdown, along with seven carries for 73 yards on the ground.
Worthy also contributes in ways that don’t always appear in the box score, as his 4.21 speed helps open the field for teammates like Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice. That skill set would be especially valuable against Denver’s top-ranked D, which is currently placed #1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric.
Tomorrow’s practice report will be critical in determining whether he can suit up against the Broncos.
Isiah Pacheco’s Week 11 Update
Pacheco’s situation is less complicated than Worthy’s but still concerning. The fourth-year running back suffered a knee injury late in the Chiefs’ Week 8 win over the Commanders, which was confirmed as an MCL sprain. Recovery timelines for this type of injury can range from one week to two months, depending on severity.
Pacheco missed three straight practices in Week 9 before being officially ruled out. Week 10 gave him a chance to recover as well, but heading into Week 11, his status remains uncertain. He was a DNP in both Wednesday and Thursday practices, raising serious doubts about his availability.
A doctor on X, Jesse Morse, noted that Pacheco may need another week to heal fully.
Before the injury, Pacheco had been effective. He carried the ball 78 times for 329 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, and scored once. His production had been improving each week before the knee injury.
With the Chiefs facing the Broncos on Sunday, followed by the Colts in Week 12, getting Worthy on the field this week would be a big boost, while Pacheco’s return might come a bit later. Having both healthy for the game against Indianapolis would be especially crucial, as Kansas City tries to keep its Super Bowl hopes alive.