The Kansas City Chiefs were unable to pull off a win to kick off the 2025 NFL season against the Los Angeles Chargers. After a hard-fought game, Patrick Mahomes and company lost by a final score of 27-21.
Unfortunately, early in the first quarter, the Chiefs suffered what could be a huge blow on the injury front. Xavier Worthy collided with star tight end Travis Kelce and immediately left the game with a shoulder injury.
It didn't take long for Kansas City to rule Worthy out for the rest of the game.
Read more:Chiefs' Xavier Worthy Injury Gets Potential Bad News From Sports Doctor
Worthy has not received an update so far on Saturday. There is no telling how serious the injury actually is, but it didn't look good. If he is forced to miss any significant amount of time, the Chiefs might need to look into a potential replacement.
Should that scenario become a reality, there is one clear option for Kansas City to consider. Kendrick Bourne is still a free agent and would be well worth looking into.
Bourne, who has spent the last four seasons with the New England Patriots, was released recently. He has had some visits since becoming a free agent, but has yet to sign. The Chiefs would be well served considering him as a Worthy alternative.
Last season with the Patriots, the 30-year-old wideout struggled. He dealt with an injury issue early and then his role was never solidified.
In the 12 games he played with New England, Bourne caught 28 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown. Back in 2023, he played in eight games and caught 37 passes for 406 yards and four scores.
As a whole, Bourne has played in 111 games in his NFL career. He has caught 292 passes for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns. Those numbers don't pop off of the charts, but they could be a help for Kansas City.
Playing alongside a quarterback like Mahomes is a big help for any wide receiver. For Bourne, it could be exactly what he needs to have a breakout season and get his career back on track after a couple of disappointing seasons with the Patriots.
Expect to hear more about Worthy in the near future. Hopefully, the injury isn't serious and he'll be able to get back on the field soon. If the best-case scenario doesn't become a reality, Bourne could be worth pivoting to.
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