Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy Ruled Out Ahead of Rematch with Eagles After Collision with Travis Kelce
Worthy suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 after colliding with Kelce; Chiefs list him day-to-day while other receivers face absences
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy has been ruled out of the team’s upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles after sustaining a shoulder injury in the season opener, the team confirmed Saturday.
Worthy exited the Chiefs’ Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers after just three snaps when he and tight end Travis Kelce collided on an underneath route. The collision knocked Worthy to the ground and forced him from the contest; he left the field with a towel draped over his head. The Chiefs said Worthy had limited practice participation during the week and will not be available for the rematch with the Eagles, who defeated Kansas City in this year’s Super Bowl.
Head coach Andy Reid described Worthy as "day to day" but provided few specifics on the nature or expected timeline of the recovery. Worthy was a focal point of the Chiefs’ offense last season as a rookie, finishing second on the team in receiving yards with 638 yards on 59 receptions and a team-leading six touchdown catches.
Kelce addressed the incident on his New Heights podcast, acknowledging responsibility and describing his frustration. "I ran into one of my guys and offed him out of the game," Kelce said. "I literally took one of my players out. That's one of the most frustrating parts. It's hard to get your juices back going knowing that you just hurt a guy." His brother and podcast co-host, Jason Kelce, called the impact "jarring." Travis Kelce added he did not yet know how quickly Worthy would return and said he felt responsible for removing a key part of the game plan.
The injury compounds personnel concerns for Kansas City. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and will not be available. The Chiefs also ruled out Jalen Royals, who has been managing knee tendinitis and was not active in Week 1.
In the Chargers game, Kelce scored a touchdown and finished with two receptions for 47 yards, but the Chiefs lost 27-21. The absence of Worthy, one of the team’s fastest playmakers, removes a vertical threat that was part of Kansas City’s offensive scheme last season.
The Chiefs now prepare for the matchup with Philadelphia without one of their top receiving options, while remaining cautious about projecting a return date. Reid and the organization have kept further medical details private.
The Eagles game carries added significance: it is the first regular-season meeting between the teams since Philadelphia defeated Kansas City in the Super Bowl earlier this year. The Chiefs enter the contest attempting to regroup offensively and compensate for multiple receiver absences as the NFL season enters its second week.