The Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps is thin enough that any more issues with Xavier Worthy are vital for the team. After showing flashes upon his return in Week 5, Worthy now heads into Week 6 with shoulder and ankle concerns that have placed him on the injury report. Fantasy managers must decide whether to trust his health and upside or lean elsewhere.
What Happened to Xavier Worthy?
Worthy’s injury history this season has been well documented. On the third play of the opener, he collided with Travis Kelce and dislocated his shoulder, an injury that cost him significant time early on.
He rehabbed and ultimately returned against Baltimore, producing 5 catches for 83 yards. More recently, though, his ankle began acting up. Worthy was downgraded to questionable ahead of the Jaguars game, with swelling reported after the team deplaned in Florida.
And this week, the concern deepened: Worthy did not practice on Thursday, despite being a full participant on Wednesday, as both shoulder and ankle injuries were cited.
Is Xavier Worthy Playing Week 6?
The signs suggest he will, but with limited usage. NFL Network reporting indicates Worthy is expected to play Monday night against the Detroit Lions, having removed his injury designation by Saturday after practicing in full.
Still, that Thursday DNP in their practice looms large. Chiefs’ officials have declined to rule him out, and Worthy has been active in recent games despite injury question marks, but this week could be different. His designation could come down to pregame warmups and how his shoulder and ankle hold up late in the week.
Xavier Worthy Fantasy Outlook
If active, Worthy remains a high-upside start in PPR formats. His combination of speed, big-play ability, and target volume, especially with Rasheed Rice suspended, will keep him in the WR2/flex conversation. But expect some limitations. The Chiefs may throttle his route tree, leaning on shorter throws or avoiding contested catches until Worthy demonstrates full comfort.
Given the injury risks, it’s wise to have a backup ready. Tyquan Thornton or Hollywood Brown could see more work if Worthy is scaled back. Manage expectations: a 60–80-yard game with 5–7 catches is a successful Week 6 output if he’s playing at less than 100%.
Bottom Line
Worthy’s ankle and shoulder keep him in the “risky but playable” category for Week 6. If he’s active, he’s still worth starting, but don’t expect his ceiling to be as high as normal. His floor is also volatile; this is a week to hedge with a secondary WR. Watch the final status reports closely; they’ll offer the clearest signal on whether he’s ready to carry fantasy value again.
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