What Injury Report Says About Chiefs’ Star Xavier Worthy

The Kansas City Chiefs practiced in full with every player -- except their starting WR.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid makes a case with the referee during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the second time in four days, Xavier Worthy is an unwelcomed highlight on the Chiefs’ injury report. The speedy second-year wide receiver missed practice Thursday, listed with shoulder and ankle injuries.

Andy Reid was not available to address this today but don’t necessarily consider this a significant setback until we see whether he goes tomorrow. The team held a lighter Wednesday practice after the Monday night game. Tomorrow’s practice is most important. https://t.co/f65XLza7rx

— Zak Gilbert (@zaksgilbert) October 9, 2025

The dislocated shoulder that sidelined him most of the first three games – until an exciting return in the Week 4 win over Baltimore – appears to be a secondary concern. The ankle issue that led the Chiefs to list him as questionable for the Jaguars game as soon as he departed the team plane in Jacksonville Sunday, is the primary concern.

After practicing in full to begin the week Wednesday, Worthy unexpectedly was a non-participant on Thursday. But don’t be so quick to rule him out for Sunday Night Football (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC/KSHB-TV, Channel 41, 96.5 The Fan), when the Chiefs (2-3) host the Lions (4-1).

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

What it means

Andy Reid wasn’t available to reporters on Thursday but the decision to sideline Worthy could be more of a precautionary measure, to rest the ankle. The Chiefs held a lighter workout on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after their Monday night road loss in Jacksonville.

Xavier Worthy, in T-shirt and sunglasses, appears good to go. pic.twitter.com/vpzmyyWtuB

— Zak Gilbert (@zaksgilbert) October 6, 2025

The key indicator whether Worthy will play Sunday is how he’s able to practice on Friday. Every other listed player for the Chiefs, including Patrick Mahomes (groin), was full participation on Thursday.

Detroit update

Detroit, meanwhile, got two of its five missing starters back at practice on Thursday, both wide receivers. Amon-Ra St. Brown (full, wrist) and Kalif Raymond (limited, neck) returned after missing Wednesday’s session.

Detroit Lions punt returner Kalif Raymond (11) runs against Cleveland Browns during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kansas City special teams coordinator Dave Toub made a point to mention Raymond on Thursday. Raymond led the NFL with 413 punt-return yards a year ago. He has three career punt-return touchdowns, including a 64-yard score in the fourth quarter Sept. 28 against Cleveland.

“Kalif Raymond,” Toub said, “probably one of the best punt returners in the league, former Pro Bowler. I mean, he's coming off an injury. We'll see if he plays, but if he's in there, he's very dangerous.”

Cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) and safety Kerby Joseph (knee) missed a second straight day of practice Thursday.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) pulls in a catch as he’s wrapped up by Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. The Bengals continued a losing streak, falling 37-24 to the Lions. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In another development Thursday, the Lions added two players to the report. Giovanni Manu, who replaced Decker in the starting lineup at left tackle last week, was limited Thursday with a knee injury. Also, primary nickel back Avonte Maddox was limited with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, safety Brian Branch (ankle) was limited for a second straight day.

Chiefs Kingdom, quench your thirst for the Internet’s best coverage on your team with OnSI; the best way to get it is to follow @KCChiefsOnSI, @ZakSGilbert and @Domminchella on X (Twitter). Also, don’t forget to tell us how worried you are about Xavier Worthy by visiting our Facebook page (here).