The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their Week 2 preparations Wednesday without two receivers: Xavier Worthy and rookie Jalen Royals.
The Chiefs host the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LIX rematch this Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Central Time at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Just three plays into the Chiefs’ opening season 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last Friday in Brazil, tight end Travis Kelce inadvertently collided with Worthy, dislocating the receiver’s shoulder.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid described Worthy’s status as “day to day” on Monday, and Wednesday’s update revealed the team is not considering surgery or the Reserve/Injured list at this time.
“(Worthy and Royals) are doing better; they’re working on it,” Reid said. “(They’re) making progress but not ready to go for sure.”
Worthy’s probable absence should stand to elevate the role of receiver Tyquan Thornton, who joined Kansas City’s practice squad in mid-November.
“Brett (Veach) liked him,” Reid said. “Bill Belichick called me and talked to me about him, thought he was good football player. Brett was bringing him in and Bill said, ‘This guy really has great potential.”
Thornton and Worthy notably boast elite speed — each recorded sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash times at the NFL Scouting Combine. Thornton had two catches for 41 yards in Friday’s season opener, including a 38-yard downfield conversion.
With receiver Rashee Rice still suspended, Hollywood Brown is expected to serve the Chiefs as their primary receiver. Brown caught 10 of 16 targets for 99 yards against the Chargers.
Royals hasn’t practiced since late August due to knee tendinitis and Reid said it’s unlikely he will be able to return this week. That means veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster should continue to see significant snaps. The veteran receiver caught all five of his targets for 55 yards against Los Angeles.