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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy has a chance to become the focal point of a suddenly thinner receiving group. Rashee Rice (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, while Tyquan Thornton (ankle) has moved to injured reserve, leaving Worthy as the most established perimeter option alongside tight end Travis Kelce.
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Locked On Chiefs host Chris Clark said Worthy needs to deliver against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6 after Kansas City lost two contributors who had helped stretch the field. Clark also pointed to wide receivers Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen as players who can ease the burden with complementary production, rather than requiring big performances from any one replacement.
Worthy has 14 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in four games, including a 70-yard outing against the Las Vegas Raiders before the bye. The third-year receiver gives Patrick Mahomes a proven speed option, but his workload could change if Rice cannot return quickly.
The matchup also comes as Los Angeles gets several receivers back from its own injury issues, creating a test of whether Kansas City can keep its offensive balance while its opponent tries to make the game more explosive. Clark’s preferred formula remains clear: Lean on Kenneth Walker III and the running game, then let Worthy and the young receivers capitalize when defenses commit extra resources to the box.
Walker has powered that approach with 537 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 87 attempts, making the Chiefs less dependent on Mahomes’ aerial acrobatics. That support should give Worthy favorable opportunities, but the receiver’s ability to convert them could determine how well the offense absorbs its latest personnel hit.
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Chiefs News and Notes
– Kenneth Walker III gives Kansas City an established counterweight to its receiver concerns. Clark argued the Chiefs should continue using the run game aggressively after Walker’s fast start.
– The pass rush has a favorable opportunity against a Chargers offensive line depleted by injuries and inexperience. Clark said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs to turn pressure into sacks against quarterback Justin Herbert, particularly after Kansas City went three games without recording one.
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM.