The Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 season no longer matters with the franchise eliminated from playoff contention and Patrick Mahomes on the shelf with a torn ACL. All of this adds up to the Chiefs needing to use the final three games as an extended preseason, focusing on evaluating younger and fringe roster pieces as they near what should be an offseason reset. With this in mind, it makes sense to shut down receiver Xavier Worthy, who has been nursing a shoulder injury all season.
Worthy dislocated his shoulder in the first game of the season, with reports noting that offseason surgery was a possibility. This is something that The Daily Chief reported on, suggesting that if Worthy does need surgery, shutting down the pass catcher now allows him to get a jump on recovery and be ready for the 2026 season. This makes sense and is something the organization should actively be discussing.
There isn't anything to be gained by Worthy continuing to put himself in harm's way with a new quarterback. The receiver is still under his rookie contract for two more seasons and has proven to have value as a speed threat. This isn't going to change over the last three games, with the only obvious way for Worthy to be impacted being the risk of suffering an even worse injury or reaggravating his ailing shoulder.
Chiefs Should Shut Down WR Xavier Worthy After Early-Season Injury Scare
What is interesting for a typically savvy group of decision-makers is the fact that there hasn't been a hint of shutting Worthy down. It seems like an extremely obvious move to make to protect a future building block and better evaluate the rest of the depth chart.
Despite the injury, Worthy would still finish the year with 491 receiving yards and a lone touchdown. There is no question that the injury clearly impacted his production. It was easy to see a lack of physicality and fight for the football that had been present in Worthy's rookie season. Whether it was stepping out of bounds rather than fighting for yards or failing to make a contested catch, the injury appears to have changed the receiver's level of play.
Shutting down Worthy is the right move and one that should be done before this week's matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Not already considering and making this decision speaks to a front office and coaching staff that has been frustratingly slow amid a lost season. One that could only get worse if the Chiefs were to suffer another serious injury, making it clear why the pass catcher must be benched.