Kansas City Chiefs fans looking for good news at a frustrating receiver position will be excited by the fact that Xavier Worthy is again practicing and appears to have less padding on the injured shoulder. Not only this, but KSHB41's Matt Foster posted a video where you can see Worthy running through the motions of a route and catching a ball one-handed on the side where the pass catcher suffered the injury. While this isn't confirmation that he will be able to return in Week 2, it indicates a far faster timeline than was expected instantly after the injury.
Popping your shoulder out of socket can do further damage and set up possible surgeries or require extended time. Worthy already being back at practice and moving as he did in the practice video is incredibly exciting. It isn't off the table that we see the speedy receiver return in Week 3, giving the Chiefs only one more week of attempting to get through a game without having a primary option at the position.
Chiefs Fans have Reason for Incredible Excitement after Latest Xavier Worthy Injury Update
While it is going to be an uphill battle at the position if Worthy does miss Week 2, Kansas City fans can be excited by this update. There was initial concern whether the receiver was done for the season or missing a large chunk of the year, just based on the reaction to the play. Worthy was done, and when he managed to get up, his right arm was obviously hanging. It wasn't difficult to see what had happened, and there was legitimate fear of the timeline.
Not only does it appear that a Week 3 return is increasingly likely, but head coach Andy Reid said there is a "slim" chance Worthy might return against the Eagles. Charles Goldman from A to Z Sports reported this quote that gives fans hope of an incredible comeback after a brutal injury in the first week of the season.
However, the wiser approach is to exercise extreme caution and attempt to buy another week of healing if that is going to benefit the young receiver. Kansas City simply has too much importance placed on Worthy to risk further injury.
Even if the franchise opts to wait until Week 3, it seems there is still a level of caution that is going to need to be exercised. Being careful to get down on plays and not absorbing bit hits, fighting for yardage when it can be avoided. This was always the biggest concern for Worthy, whose small frame limits the level of NFL punishment the star wideout can take.
It would be wise not only to have Worthy wait one more week but likely wear a harness and extra padding within the game to help prevent the shoulder from popping out again. Regardless, fans have reason to be excited over the latest update and faith that the training staff is going to continue to put the health of a key player above all else.