The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt a significant blow to their offense in Friday night’s loss, as they saw second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy leave the game after only three plays with a shoulder injury.
It was the worst possible scenario for the Chiefs, who were already without third-year wideout Rashee Rice due to a six-game suspension. After the loss, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that the team wouldn’t have more answers until the team got back to KC, where the young wide receiver can get an MRI.
On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided some more information about Worthy’s injury. He said that the Chiefs WR has a dislocated shoulder and will “miss some time.” Rapoport also added that the most likely case for the young playmaker is that he can return this season with a brace, but surgery can’t be ruled out.
Based on this information, it would be in the Chiefs’ best interest to exhaust their options on the practice squad and free agency. Luckily, for Kansas City, there are a few veteran wide receivers that they should consider.
Chiefs Should Consider Bringing in These Veteran WRs Following Xavier Worthy's Injury
Kansas City won’t find a direct replacement for Worthy, who has blazing speed as we saw last season.
However, if the Chiefs are looking for a wide receiver who can take the top off the defense like Tyquan Thornton, DJ Chark could be a potential option. Chark was with the Atlanta Falcons for a few weeks of training camp/preseason before getting released.
Last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, Chark struggled to stay healthy, appearing in seven games. He only had four receptions (10 targets) for 31 yards and a touchdown. Before landing in L.A., Chark was a big-play threat with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions, averaging 15 and 16.7 yards per reception, respectively.
If the Chiefs don’t want a speedy receiver, given that they already have Thornton and Hollywood Brown, Kendrick Bourne could be a nice fit for this offense. He isn’t going to blow you away with speed, but he’s a good route runner and tallied a 155-,1945-11 stat line in 53 games throughout his New England Patriots tenure.
Bourne has the skills to play the slot, but also on the outside. He’s generated interest from a couple of other WR-needy teams (Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers) since the Patriots released him.
Nevertheless, the 30-year-old wideout has yet to sign anywhere despite the reported interest. Along those same lines, Tyler Boyd, who is a similar receiver to Bourne, could be worth bringing in on a flier and is coming off a 39-catch, 390-yard performance with the Tennessee Titans last season.
Kansas City doesn’t have many spectacular options to replace Worthy at their disposal, but if they can bring someone in, plus getting production from Brown, Smith-Schuster, and Thornton, they might be able to hold on until Rice comes back.