The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was limited to 14 games last season due to injury. Days after undergoing surgery, he dropped an update about his recovery.

Worthy, who turned 23 in April, tore his labrum and dislocated his right shoulder during Week 1 of the 2025 season. He missed four games before returning and playing the remainder of the season through the injury. But he now feels better under the guidance of Chiefs athletic trainer Julie Frymyer. 

“Getting stronger, getting better. Mentally stronger,” Worthy said. “Obviously, this game is 90% mental. So just building my mental up and obviously learning more and more as I get older.”

Last week, he did not take part in the OTAs after he underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, as reported by Matt Foster of KSHB Kansas City.

As his recovery progressed, Worthy participated in OTA sessions on May 30. He attended the session wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Meanwhile, head coach Andy Reid shared his thoughts on Worthy’s progress.

“It’s great for him to be able to detail things, and he’s working like crazy at it,” Reid said of Worthy on Thursday, May 28. “I think he feels more comfortable now. He had a couple of things cleaned out there (surgically), so he’s just feeling good about that, and I think he’s in a good spot. We just don’t want to take any steps back." 

Worthy's emergence over the final weeks of the 2024 campaign gave Reid plenty of reasons for optimism entering 2025. During the NFL Combine in February, Reid highlighted how impressed the coaching staff had been with the receiver's growth late in the season.

However, injury derailed the Chiefs' plans. With this, the 2026 season holds high importance for Worthy.

A Fresh Start for Xavier Worthy

Worthy's role in the offense was unique in 2024. As Pro Football Focus found that 19% of his snaps featured crossing routes, the highest percentage among receivers with at least 50 targets.

However, his performance dipped to 14% in the 2025 season, as the Chiefs wide receiver ranked 28th in crossing-route percentage. Worthy trailed behind Hollywood Brown (15 percent) and Rashee Rice (15 percent).

Worthy's role became more restricted, and his opportunities to gain yards after the catch declined as well. Per TruMedia, the share of his receiving yards that came after the catch fell from 56% in 2024 to 36% in 2025.

Worthy's return is significant not only for his individual recovery but also for the Chiefs' receiving group, which is closer to full strength.

Do you think Worthy can find his rhythm back in the Chiefs after injury? Share your thoughts.

Read more at Kansas City Chiefs Community.

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar