The Kansas City Chiefs are set to get an integral member of their offense back for a crucial Week 4 game at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
On Friday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that he expects wide receiver Xavier Worthy to be available Sunday in the showdown between the perennial AFC powers, with the loser falling to 1-3.
Worthy has missed Kansas City's past two games after suffering a dislocated shoulder on his third offensive snap of the season when colliding with tight end Travis Kelce against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Xavier Worthy's Return Could Be a Vital Spark for Floundering Chiefs Offense
The Chiefs' offense has sputtered out of the gate, ranking No. 21 in scoring (20 points per game). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn't found a rhythm, completing 59 percent of his pass attempts and averaging 223 passing yards per game. Both would be career lows for an entire season.
Worthy should elevate the Chiefs' offense. The speedy wideout gives Kansas City a dimension it otherwise lacks. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Worth ran a 4.21s 40-yard dash, and that speed can translate to mismatches on the football field, particularly against a Ravens defense that ranks No. 31 in points allowed (32 points per game) and is second-worst against the pass, allowing 266 yards through the air per game. Per Stathead, Baltimore has already given up 12 pass plays of at least 20 yards, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.
Kansas City may need its offense to produce explosives to keep up with the Ravens, who are first in the league in scoring (37 points per game). Earlier this week, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy noted Worthy's importance, telling reporters, "He's such a big part of this offense."
"He's been so instrumental coming back this second year, then all of [a] sudden that happens in Week 1," Nagy continued.
Last season, Worthy had 59 receptions, 638 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns in 17 games (13 starts). The Chiefs are expecting big things from the 2024 first-rounder in his second NFL season, and while his fluke injury against the Chargers was a setback, Worthy can still live up to the hype in 2025. He gets a great opportunity to start against a reeling Ravens defense in a game both teams need to win to avoid entering October two games below .500.
Getting Worthy back could be exactly what Kansas City needs to rediscover its groove on offense. At the very least, he gives Baltimore someone else to consider when on defense, which could open up easier opportunities for Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton.
His presence alone could make the Ravens' job more difficult. It will be up to the Chiefs to make the most of his return.