Kansas City Chiefs fans remained focused on any hint of news about injured receiver Xavier Worthy, which is understandable with Rashee Rice suspended for the next five games and with Hollywood Brown's questionable injury history. With this in mind, Kansas City's latest moves point positively towards a potential Worthy return, but that doesn't mean good news for everyone in KC.
Arrowhead Live reported on Wednesday that the Chiefs have signed wide receiver Hal Presley to the practice squad and parted ways with defender Cole Christiansen. How this changes things for Worthy is simple: the pass-catcher is likely avoiding an injured reserve stint in hopes of returning in the next weeks of the season.
If the Chiefs were going to place Worthy on IR, they could elevate a receiver off the current practice squad, and there is zero reason to consider cutting Christiansen.
Cole Christiansen Catches Tough Break Amid Xavier Worthy Injury Speculation
Christiansen has won two Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs in a reserve role, having played for the organization in some capacity since the 2022 season. It is an incredibly rough break for a defender who has given a lot of time and effort to the organization. Parting ways with him comes as a bit of a surprise, as a longtime practice squad member; however, the Chiefs are understandably focused on the future of Worthy.
Adding another receiver to the practice squad without taking anyone off the current active roster gives general manager Brett Veach more flexibility. If Worthy needs to be inactive for the next couple of weeks, the Chiefs can limp through by elevating receivers on practice squad deals, as they won't have to lock Worthy on the IR for the next four weeks of the season.
For Christiansen, this isn't likely to be the end of his career after being a part of the league's prestigious organization. He has always been a bit of an underdog, starting his career with the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2020 season as an undrafted free agent. After two years with the KC rival, the linebacker was added to the Chiefs' practice squad and has been up and down between the active roster and practice squad ever since.
It would be a surprise not to see another team scoop up the potential depth and experience. While it is likely to be a practice squad deal, it makes sense considering the lack of accomplishments on the active roster. Two Super Bowl rings are something most teams would love to add to their roster.
Kansas City is doing the right thing, changing direction and attempting to keep Worthy on the active roster. It speaks to a level of hope that perhaps a surprise return will come sooner than expected, with Patrick Mahomes badly in need of reliable targets. The situation may have cost Christiansen his job, but that's just the nature of the NFL.
Regardless, the Chiefs badly need a Week 2 statement after a week that has been dominated by frustrations and injury news.