Chiefs’ Top Wide Receiver Role Falls to 21-Year-Old Xavier Worthy

Adapting to Losses in the Chiefs’ Roster

After the Kansas City Chiefs lost Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice due to injuries, the responsibility of becoming the top wide receiver fell upon the shoulders of Xavier Worthy, the 21-year-old Chiefs’ first-round draft pick. Worthy leads the Chiefs’ currently fit wideouts with nine catches, 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Chiefs’ Game Plan Moving Forward

Despite the pressure on Worthy, Head Coach Andy Reid assured that the team is not solely dependent on him. Reid emphasized that there are experienced players within the Chiefs’ roster, and the team intends to distribute the ball amongst all receivers rather than placing the onus on Worthy alone.

Reid also confirmed that Rashee Rice will not be playing in the upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, due to a knee injury sustained in the victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Reports suggest that Rice may have a torn ACL, though test results are still pending.

Worthy’s Performance and Potential Replacements

Worthy demonstrated his potential in the game against the Chargers, catching three passes for 73 yards. One of his catches resulted in a 54-yard touchdown, while another was a 15-yard reception that allowed the Chiefs to control the clock.

Increased Roles for JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore

Reid mentioned that wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore could see increased game time. Smith-Schuster, who was the Chiefs’ leading wide receiver in 2022, was re-signed over the summer after being released by the New England Patriots. Skyy Moore, a second-round draft pick in 2022, has yet to prove himself as a consistently reliable receiver.

Reid also praised tight end Travis Kelce’s performance in the game against the Chargers, where he had his most productive game of the season with seven passes caught for 89 yards.

Reid Discusses Chiefs’ Strategy and Player Performance

Adapting to Opponent’s Defensive Techniques

Coach Reid acknowledged that an alteration in their game plan was inevitable. “A shift in strategy was bound to occur at some point,” he explained. “The opposition employed a hefty amount of zone defense, providing [Kelce] the opportunity to exploit those areas, with minimal pressure on him.”

The Impact of Player Absence and Emergence

The Chiefs, dealing with the absence of injured running back Isiah Pacheco, received a shot in the arm from Kareem Hunt. Hunt made a strong re-entry into his first game since his recent signing, becoming the Chiefs’ leading rusher with 69 yards.

Reid’s Confidence in Kareem Hunt

“We’ve placed a lot of faith in Kareem, given his previous stint with us. We’re familiar with his capabilities and his quick learning abilities,” Reid shared, showing his confidence in Hunt’s performance. “Therefore, I believe we’re in a good place to increase [his workload].”