Things went shaky for the Chiefs when they opened the season against the Chargers. Their wide receiver, Xavier Worthy, suffered a shoulder injury after colliding with tight end Travis Kelce. The injury cost him two games in weeks 2 and 3. As the team gears up against the Lions, things might finally start looking up for the WR.

“Coach Andy Reid said WR Xavier Worthy was at practice today and ‘moved around good.’ Seems like Worthy should be good,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on his X account.

It all happened in the 1st quarter when Kelce was running a crossing route in the opposite direction, and he collided with Worthy. He was rushed out of the game immediately and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game. Though he was ‘rehabbing’ during the two weeks, the 22-year-old did appear in some of the games.

Worthy returned in the Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens, where he had 5 catches for 83 yards. He couldn’t continue playing and was downgraded to questionable due to his ankle swelling. But Xavier was active against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he had six receptions for 42 yards. Worthy’s injury issue, throughout the series, has put the Chiefs in a tough spot, as the team is already light in the receiver room.

Chiefs are dealing with the receiver issue on multiple ends

The 2-3 Chiefs entered the NFL season with a shortage in the receiver room. This situation has left Patrick Mahomes working with a group of receivers he hasn’t yet developed strong downfield chemistry with. Rookie Jalen Royals missed the first two games because of right knee tendinitis. Even Mahomes’ favorite top receiver Rashee Rice is under a six-game suspension as he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy and won’t be returning until after week 6.

The next big knock came with Worthy’s injury. Although joining the practice sessions brings some hope, it doesn’t confirm his availability for the next game against the Lions. And so the spotlight will be on Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton, who will all need to step up.

If Worthy returns against the Lions, the Chiefs will be more than happy, as they will get another reinforcement in week 7, as Rashee Rice’s suspension will be over. Until then, Mahomes will have to rely on backup and get the game going for the Chiefs, and hope to develop some of that much-needed chemistry downfield.