The Kansas City Chiefs have been celebrating the return to health of their powerhouse receiving corps, but a key cog in the Chiefs’ offensive machine suddenly surfaced in this week’s injury report.
That would be receiver Xavier Worthy, who was listed as limited due to an ankle injury in an update written by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. Worthy has been a big part of Kansas City’s offensive resurgence lately, with his speed taking the top off opposing defenses so that quarterback Patrick Mahomes can take more deep shots down the field.
The extent of this injury is the big question. It wouldn’t be above coach Andy Reid to raise the question of Worthy’s speed and availability due to what turns out to be a phantom limitation, but if Worthy is slowed down significantly, it could change Kansas City’s offensive strategy considerably.
That’s especially true given that Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II will be out for this one due to a pectoral injury. Denver’s reworked secondary has struggled without Surtain available to lock down the other team’s best receiver, and normally that would be Worthy. He’s caught 24 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown so far, even in limited action, and Worthy has also rushed seven times for 73 yards.
The Chiefs are also dealing with injury issues that go beyond the receiving room. Running back Isiah Pacheco hasn’t practiced all week, and while his actual absence on Sunday hasn’t been announced yet, it seems like a foregone conclusion at this point.
Other players who remained on the report included defensive back Jaden Hicks (pectoral), defensive end Charles Omenihu (ankle), guard Trey Smith (back), offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor (knee/ankle) and Josh Simmons (personal), all of whom were full participants.
The potential strategy battle in this one continues to get more fascinating by the day. Both teams have running back issues with Denver running back J.K. Dobbins popping up on the Broncos injury report with a foot injury and Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco almost certainly out with a knee injury, and that could also change the strategy involved in the back-and-forth quarterback battle between Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes.
Meanwhile, Worthy’s ankle issue could limit the Chiefs’ ability to take advantage of the absence of Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II. It’s basically a chess board with some of the key players removed, which means that some secondary players are going to have to step up and make plays in what should be a great game.