The Kansas City Chiefs may be facing an untimely setback as wide receiver Xavier Worthy missed Thursday’s practice with shoulder and ankle injuries, just days before the team’s high-stakes Week 6 clash with the Detroit Lions.

Worthy‘s absence comes as a surprise, particularly after he was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s session and appeared healthy following Monday night’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to team officials, the rookie wideout was held out of practice entirely on Thursday, making him the only Chiefs player to sit out.

The decision immediately raised eyebrows, given Worthy‘s growing importance in Kansas City‘s offense.

The first-round pick out of Texas has quickly become one of Patrick Mahomes‘ most dynamic weapons, a speed threat who stretches defenses and brings a spark that’s been lacking at times this season.

The Chiefs have been cautious with Worthy since his return from a shoulder injury sustained in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He missed two games before making an explosive comeback in Week 4, when he racked up 121 yards from scrimmage in a win over Baltimore.

However, his involvement dipped in Monday’s 23-20 loss to Jacksonville, where he logged six receptions for 42 yards and a single nine-yard carry.

The emergence of a new ankle issue, not previously disclosed, suggests the 21-year-old may be battling through more than just routine soreness.

NFL insider Jesse Newell of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Chiefs listed Worthy as a non-participant with both shoulder and ankle concerns.

While head coach Andy Reid didn’t provide specifics on the extent of the injuries, multiple sources indicated that the move may be precautionary, given the team’s short week and upcoming home test against one of the NFC’s hottest teams.

“He’s a competitor, but we also know what kind of toll the season can take,” one team source told The Kansas City Star. “It’s about keeping him right for the long haul, not just one game.”

Worthy’s impact can’t be understated

Even in limited action, Worthy has given Kansas City‘s offense a much-needed boost.

His route-running and deep speed have opened up space for Travis Kelce and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown underneath, while his versatility in motion has allowed Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to expand the playbook.

Through four games, Worthy has 18 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns, plus 65 rushing yards on designed plays, a testament to how central he’s become in the Chiefs‘ evolving offensive scheme.

Without him, the burden would fall on Rashee Rice, who recently returned from suspension, and Brown, who has been battling through his own minor injuries.

Rice‘s chemistry with Mahomes is still developing, but the sophomore wideout’s physicality could be key if Worthy is forced to miss Sunday’s game.

While Worthy‘s situation drew the most attention, several other Chiefs starters were also listed on the injury report.

Patrick Mahomes (ankle), Nick Bolton (wrist), Kareem Hunt (hamstring), Hollywood Brown (knee), and JuJu Smith-Schuster (back) were all limited participants, though all practiced in some capacity.

Reid downplayed the team’s injury situation overall but acknowledged that managing workloads has been crucial this early in the season.

“We’ve had a tough stretch of physical games,” Reid said. “The guys are grinding through it, and we’ll see where everyone’s at come Saturday.”

Kansas City enters Week 6 with a 3-2 record and little margin for error. Facing Detroit, a team known for its physicality and relentless pass rush, the Chiefs need all their weapons available if they hope to avoid a second straight loss.

If Worthy is unable to go, it could drastically alter how the Chiefs approach their offensive game plan.

His absence would limit Kansas City’s ability to stretch the field, forcing Mahomes to rely more heavily on quick passes and the run game against a Lions defense that ranks among the league’s best in yards allowed per play.

For now, all eyes will be on Friday’s practice report. Whether Worthy‘s day off proves to be a routine precaution or the start of a lingering issue could make all the difference in the Chiefs‘ quest to stay atop the AFC West.