Chiefs Face Wide Receiver Dilemma After Kelce’s Collision with Worthy
The Kansas City Chiefs encountered a significant setback in their wide receivers corps during Week 1, following an unfortunate incident involving tight end Travis Kelce and rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The collision occurred on the very first offensive series against the Los Angeles Chargers, as Worthy was executing a crossing route when he was struck by Kelce, who was also navigating across the field.
Worthy exited the game with what has since been diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder. The Chiefs are now assessing the situation, deliberating whether Worthy can don a brace and return to action or if he will require surgery, a scenario that could sideline him for the remainder of the season.
Kelce’s Responsibility and Swift’s Reaction
The incident may not only impact the Chiefs on the field but could also stir some tension at home for Kelce. His fiancée, pop sensation Taylor Swift, has openly expressed her admiration for Worthy since the Chiefs drafted him. Swift shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I fell in love with it. I became obsessed with it. I became like a person who was running through the halls of my house screaming, ‘We drafted Xavier Worthy!’”
In a light-hearted exchange, Kelce recalled Swift’s excitement, saying, “I forget where I was, but you were the first person to tell me that we drafted the fastest man in the draft.” Swift enthusiastically replied, “No, I was screeching. I couldn’t believe it. Freaking out.”
On the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast, Kelce took accountability for the accident. “I’m supposed to be running my route at depth for Worthy. So, it’s frustrating for me. I was trying to kind of set up my guy to be able to get into position, and it all just happened pretty quick,” he explained. He acknowledged, “I just gotta be better, man. I’m 13 years in the league. There is no excuse for me running into my own guys like that.”
Worsening Receiver Situation for the Chiefs
If Worthy is forced to miss an extended period, the Chiefs will face an even larger challenge at wide receiver. The absence of Rashee Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension, combined with rookie Jalen Royals’ injury that kept him out of Week 1, has left quarterback Patrick Mahomes with a limited arsenal. Currently, Mahomes will be relying on Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton, in addition to Kelce.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations like Kansas City, this scenario poses a significant concern. It wouldn’t be surprising to see general manager Brett Veach take decisive action to bolster the receiving corps in the wake of these developments. As the Chiefs navigate this unexpected adversity, the team’s depth and adaptability will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
