The Kansas City Chiefs nearly lost Xavier Worthy to a shoulder sprain, which sounds all to familiar right now.
The Kansas City Chiefs lost a couple of receivers during their first practices of camp, which is the last thing they can afford given their current situation at the position. One injury is all too familiar to the Chiefs and their fans, as Xavier Worthy sustained a shoulder sprain, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
The Chiefs have been here before, as Worthy’s season was compromised last year right from the start when he sustained a similar shoulder injury in a collision with tight end Travis Kelce in Week 1. A high ankle sprain followed in midseason, and Worthy was never able to round into form.
Will this be a replay? Possibly not. According to the report, coach Andy Reid told reporters that Worthy would be able to practice later this week.
But it’s important to remember that Reid was soft-pedaling this kind of news for most of last year. He was constantly telling reporters that Worthy was nearly ready, close to returning or several weeks away.
The real problem here is that this was the issue Worthy came into the NFL with when the Chiefs drafted him out of Texas three years ago with their top pick. The production and game-breaking ability has been tantalizing when it shows up on the field, but we’re at the point now where Worthy hasn’t done nearly enough to justify his status as a top pick.
Meanwhile, there’s Cyrus Allen. He’s a rookie, and Allen was drafted in the fifth round, but Allen was showing the kind of savvy he needs to show to at least stick and make the roster. But that was before Allen collided with a teammate near the goal line during a special teams drill as they tried to rescue a punt that was headed for the end zone.
The outcome looked grim when Allen was carted off, but reports have him suffering a shin bruise, which is good news indeed. He, too, is supposed to make it back to practice this week, which would be more good news for Kansas City.
The real downside of Allen’s situation is that it shows just how desperate the Chiefs are for even minimal help at receiver. The fact that they’re relying on a fifth-round rookie speaks volumes, and it’s somewhat shocking that we haven’t at least heard more rumors connecting Kansas City to a veteran free-agent receiver who can step in and provide immediate help.
