The Kansas City Chiefs have a great opportunity to get over .500 and join the Los Angeles Chargers atop the division on Monday night when they travel to South Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars have hardly been a pushover under new head coach, Liam Coen, who has helped them to a 3-1 record to start the year, with wins over the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and otherwise unbeaten San Francisco 49ers.
Kansas City, despite going up against a tough opponent in Jacksonville, will be buoyed by the fact that a key part of their offense will play on Monday night, according to NFL Network reporter, Cameron Wolfe.
Xavier Worthy Expected To Play on Monday Night
“Xavier Worthy expected to play tonight despite dealing with some ankle swelling yesterday, per source.” Wolfe reported on Monday. The Chiefs will see how Worthy feels at stadium to confirm. But he’s expected to be good to go.”
The news was also corroborated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, via Nate Taylor.
Fowler noted that whilst Worthy had “a little ankle soreness” this past weekend, the team believes he will play on Monday.
Wolfe originally posted on Sunday that the team downgraded Worthy to questionable on Sunday due to some ankle swelling, with the intent to see how he felt on Monday.
By all accounts, it seems that he is feeling well enough to play.
What Does Worthy Add To The Chiefs’ Offense?
The second year first round pick has had a tough start to his sophomore year in the NFL, having dislocated his shoulder right at the start of the season opener against the Chargers. A return in week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens came in successful as the former Texas product hauled in 5 passes off of 8 targets for 83 yards.
Worthy was still questionable with said shoulder injury – along with the swollen ankle – coming into week 5, so the issue is clearly yet to be 100% abated.
Right now, the team will simply be happy that he is healthy enough to see the field and contribute.
Worthy’s 84 yards topped the team in week 4, in a passing offense that has otherwise had to spread the love, rather than rely on one or two high-level wideouts.
When former second round pick, Rashee Rice, returns to action in week 7 after serving out his six-game suspension after being sentenced to 30 days of jail time and five years probation for his role in a high-speed car crash back in 2024, the offense will likely have a sharper focus on the pair, rather than having quarterback, Patrick Mahomes dish it out to numerous different offensive weapons.
Even with Rice on the field, Worthy’s impact as a deep threat and speedster is undeniable, having started to play his best football in the 2024 postseason, where he recorded 19 receptions and 287 receiving yards in the three playoff games, including managing 157 yards and 2 touchdowns in Super Bowl LIX as the team lost 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In what is set to be a close-fought prime-time game on Monday, Worthy’s presence could certainly tip the balance in KC’s favor.
Chiefs Get Critical Xavier Worthy News Hours Ahead Of Week 5 – Report