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Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of their most electric offensive weapons as they gear up for a highly anticipated Week 2 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy has officially been ruled out, dealing a major blow to Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal just hours before kickoff.
Chiefs confirm Xavier Worthy’s absence
The news was confirmed through the team’s official X account (formerly Twitter) on Saturday evening. “WR Xavier Worthy is now ruled OUT for tomorrow’s game with a shoulder injury,” the post read. The update immediately caught the attention of fans and analysts, given the importance of the upcoming Super Bowl rematch.
NFL insider Adam Schefter echoed the development, stressing the impact on Kansas City’s offensive firepower. “Chiefs now have ruled out WR Xavier Worthy for Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch in Kansas City due to his shoulder injury,” Schefter posted.
How the injury unfolded
Worthy’s setback stems from an unfortunate collision during Kansas City’s Week 1 contest, when he made mid-air contact with tight end Travis Kelce. Medical evaluations later confirmed a Grade 2 AC joint sprain, sidelining him for an estimated 2–4 weeks.
The second-year speedster failed to register a reception before exiting early in the opener and was listed as questionable throughout the week. His absence now removes the team’s most reliable deep threat, forcing head coach Andy Reid to adjust the offensive blueprint.
Offensive shake-up for Mahomes
Without Xavier Worthy stretching the field, Patrick Mahomes will need to lean more heavily on his other targets. Veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, and Travis Kelce are expected to see an uptick in involvement, while the ground game could play a larger role. Running backs Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Brashard Smith may be tasked with carrying the load in short-yardage and ball-control scenarios.
For Philadelphia, Worthy’s absence eases defensive planning, as their secondary will no longer be required to account for the blazing speed that often shifts coverages and opens up space for others.
A crucial early-season test
This setback comes at a pivotal moment for the Chiefs, who are determined to avoid an 0-2 start in the Patrick Mahomes era. Against an Eagles defense renowned for its physicality and depth, execution and creativity will be vital if Kansas City hopes to come out on top.
While Xavier Worthy’s recovery timeline offers hope for a swift return, his absence in a game of this magnitude highlights just how crucial his presence is to the Chiefs’ offensive identity.
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