Andy Reid speaks out after Xavier Worthy replace emerges
Even in comparison with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ middling offenses in 2023 and ’24, this 12 months’s model has introduced a brand new low for the Patrick Mahomes period. Working with out Rashee Rice and largely with out Xavier Worthy, Kansas Metropolis has slogged by way of three unremarkable performances.
The Chiefs did handle a win over the lowly New York Giants in Week 3, beating the hosts by two scores earlier than Russell Wilson‘s demotion, however the staff ranks twenty first in scoring offense and 18th in yardage by way of three video games. Though the Chiefs managed a Tremendous Bowl win and one other look with Fifteenth-ranked offenses, their early-season kind has introduced concern.
Assistance is on the best way, expensive!
A key reinforcement is coming again, nevertheless. Worthy is anticipated to play towards the Ravens in Week 4. The Chiefs haven’t given the speedy wideout an damage designation, after he went by way of three full practices this week. Worthy has been sidelined for the reason that first quarter of the Chiefs’ Week 1 loss to the Chargers, struggling a shoulder damage after colliding with Travis Kelce on a crossing route.
Worthy managed three restricted practices final week however was held out. The 165-pound go catcher is making an attempt to play by way of a completely torn labrum by sporting a harness, delaying surgical procedure. This gutsy effort will likely be fascinating to watch, particularly for a participant Worthy’s measurement, however the 2024 first-rounder’s presence figures to make a distinction for a staff that has been unable to depend on its passing recreation a lot this season.
Kansas Metropolis has used ex-Patriots cuts Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster alongside Marquise Brown at receiver. Thornton scored two long-range touchdowns over the previous two weeks, and Mahomes additionally missed him on a would-be lengthy TD towards the Eagles. Worthy’s return stands to affect Thornton’s utilization, however the Chiefs offense won’t seem like its deliberate model till Rice’s six-game private conduct suspension wraps. The Chiefs will face the Ravens, Jaguars and Lions earlier than having Rice again towards the Raiders in Week 7.
Andy Reid speaks out about Xavier Worthy’s standing
“Hear, you have to be wholesome sufficient to go play,” head coach Andy Reid mentioned, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “I imply, we’re not gonna put him on the market if he is not wholesome sufficient to go play and the place he feels comfy.
“He feels good, after which the opposite staff, they’re gonna play laborious it doesn’t matter what, whether or not you’ve gotten a shoulder [injury] or not. They’re gonna attempt to knock you round a bit of bit. That is why you need to be sure you’re in the correct mind set to go do it and bodily OK.”
Buying and selling up 4 spots (through the Payments) for Worthy at No. 28, the Chiefs noticed an more and more promising rookie season. His record-setting mix 40-yard sprint efficiency didn’t result in a task as a Mahomes long-range weapon; relatively, the Chiefs opted to make use of him extra as a shorter-range goal for catch-and-run functions. Worthy caught 59 passes for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns as a rookie; like Rice, he confirmed promise down the stretch. Additionally logging 20 regular-season handoffs, the Texas product totaled not less than 40 receiving yards in his last 10 video games final season. This included an 85-yard exhibiting within the AFC Championship Recreation and a garbage-time-fueled 157 in Tremendous Bowl LIX. The Chiefs will hope their most well-liked No. 2 wideout’s reemergence will give them a raise in a key Ravens matchup Sunday.
