Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy stepped into a bigger role during Kansas City's Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and he made the most of it. With Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve and Rashee Rice recovering from a hamstring strain, the offense leaned on Worthy from the opening possession, when quarterback Patrick Mahomes's first pass went his way.
The need grew after tight end Travis Kelce suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter. Mahomes kept targeting Worthy, and the third-year player delivered his best game of the season, finishing with a game-high seven receptions for 73 yards. Worthy compared the rhythm to a basketball player hitting several shots early, saying the early success built his confidence.
Worthy's breakout comes after a frustrating 2025 season, when a right shoulder injury sustained on opening night limited him to 532 receiving yards and one touchdown. Coach Andy Reid said the team adjusted his routes to protect the shoulder and emphasized that Worthy is more than a deep threat. He ran crossing routes, beat both zone and man coverage, and led the team with 28 routes. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he became the Chiefs' first pass catcher this season with a plus-17.1% catch rate over expected and a 100% catch rate on at least five targets.
The Chiefs, now 5-0, face the defending champion Seattle Seahawks (3-3) this Sunday, and they will likely need a similar performance from Worthy. Mahomes said that if Worthy keeps producing like this, it will help a lot once Rice returns.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing