The Kansas City Chiefs face unexpected uncertainty with their top receiving threat as they prepare for Monday night’s primetime matchup in Jacksonville. Xavier Worthy has been downgraded to questionable after developing a new injury concern late in the week. For fantasy football managers counting on the explosive receiver, what is his status for Monday Night Football?
Is Xavier Worthy Playing Tonight?
Worthy made his much-anticipated return in Week 4 following a two-game absence due to a dislocated shoulder sustained in the season opener. The injury occurred during the third play of the season when Worthy and Travis Kelce accidentally collided while running routes against the Chargers.
Despite the ongoing shoulder issues, Worthy has been playing through a torn labrum with the help of a supportive shoulder harness. His Week 4 performance against Baltimore demonstrated his importance to the Chiefs’ offense, as he caught five of eight targets for 83 yards while adding two rushes for 38 yards.
Worthy emerged from Sunday’s game completely healthy and participated fully in all three practice sessions throughout the week. He carried no injury designation on Saturday’s report, suggesting he was expected to be fully available for Monday’s contest.
However, the situation changed dramatically on Sunday when the Chiefs downgraded Worthy to a questionable status. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Worthy got off the team plane in Jacksonville with some ankle swelling. So, his issue is unrelated to his shoulder.
Wolfe reported that the ankle issue appeared to be precautionary at this stage, with the Chiefs’ medical staff planning to reevaluate Worthy’s condition on Monday. The timing of this development creates significant challenges for fantasy managers, as every other game has concluded.
While there remains a possibility that Worthy could miss the game, early indications suggest the team is optimistic about his availability. The questionable designation appears to be more about caution than serious concern at this point.
As an aside, the late-breaking nature of this injury creates a perfect example of why fantasy managers should always organize their lineups based on game start times. With Worthy playing on Monday night, managers who didn’t place him in their Flex spot (assuming they could have) are now limited to just wide receivers to replace him if he doesn’t play.
If Worthy is unable to suit up, fantasy managers will have no choice but to look to the waiver wire for a last-minute replacement using a player from the Chiefs-Jaguars game. Here are your best options available in more than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The most obvious option would be Hollywood Brown. He is probably rostered in your league, but he’s technically only rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues. Therefore, he qualifies.
Brown exploded for 99 yards on 10 receptions and 16 targets in Week 1 following Worthy’s early departure. Since then, though, his usage has been underwhelming, posting 8.0 and 8.2 fantasy points in the two subsequent games Worthy missed.
Last week, Brown was actually better with Worthy back from a fantasy perspective, but only because he caught a touchdown. He actually caught a season-low three passes.
Even so, if Brown is out there, he makes the most sense as a desperation replacement for Worthy.
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
This is the swing play. Available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues, Tyquan Thornton might get you two points, but he might get you 20.
Thornton has scored in three consecutive games. During the two games Worthy missed, Patrick Mahomes gave Thornton multiple deep shots in each contest. The two connected in Weeks 2 and 3, leading to Thornton posting 13.9 and 18.1 fantasy points. That’s essentially what we’re hoping to achieve with Worthy.
If you can’t get Brown, Thornton is probably a better bet than the rest of the names on this list.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
If Worthy is in your Flex, Kareem Hunt is a viable option. He obviously lacks anywhere near the ceiling of Worthy, but he’s been more involved over the past two weeks, earning 11 and 14 touches. Of course, the old and plodding Hunt is woefully inefficient, managing 68 rushing yards on 23 carries over the past two weeks. But the volume is decent.
Most importantly, Hunt gives fantasy managers a shot at a touchdown, as he remains the goal-line back for the Chiefs.
When having to find a replacement this last minute, adding a player with about a 40-45% chance of scoring a touchdown is as good as it gets.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Similar to Brown, he is probably not available in your league. Brenton Strange barely meets the threshold, as he is currently rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues. But maybe he’s out there in yours. Strange offers minimal upside, but he is your quintessential “won’t get you zero” tight end.
The Jaguars tight end has seen a respectable 16.7% target share this season and has been targeted on 22.1% of his routes run. He’s caught six passes in each of his last two games and hit double-digit fantasy points.
In a game where the Jaguars should experience negative game script, Strange works if you need someone to guarantee you a handful of points.
Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
This is for the deeper league folks. It’s entirely possible that everyone else mentioned is already rostered. There’s also a chance your opponent blocks you by picking one of the options up. But they can’t get everyone.
Brashard Smith barely played over the first three weeks of the season. The rookie seventh-rounder totaled just three touches.
Earlier this week, though, the Chiefs indicated they want to get Smith more involved. We saw the beginnings of that last week when Smith saw eight opportunities, which he turned into 6.6 fantasy points.
Isiah Pacheco and Hunt are playing inferior football. They both offer nothing to the Chiefs’ offense. Smith might not either, but he can’t possibly be worse. The coaches are starting to see that. We could see an even larger role for the rookie tonight, making him a viable Hail Mary play if you have no alternative.