Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy Dealing With Torn Labrum, Likely To Play In Week 3
Ruled out for Week 2 because of the friendly-fire shot he absorbed from teammate Travis Kelce on a crossing pattern in Brazil, Xavier Worthy is not expected to be out long for the Chiefs. The speedy second-year player may end up missing only one game.
Specifics on Worthy’s injury had not surfaced until Sunday, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the Kansas City wideout is battling a fully torn labrum. Rather than undergo surgery, Worthy will attempt to play through the injury by using a harness.
Earlier this week, Andy Reid said Worthy was unlikely to land on IR. While the Chiefs are holding him out for their Week 2 matchup with the Eagles, they are aiming to have him against the Giants next week. Using a harness to navigate a labrum tear is not unheard of, but a player of Worthy’s size (165 pounds) attempting to do so will make for a more interesting effort.
This does represent positive news for the Chiefs, as a Worthy surgery would have left them in dire straits at receiver. The three-time reigning AFC champions are without Rashee Rice due to a six-game suspension. They will roll out a receiving group headlined by Marquise Brown today, with JuJu Smith-Schuster — re-signed to just a one-year, $1.42MM deal this offseason — likely set to play a key role.
Kansas City has been unable to keep its preferred receiving trio healthy since assembling the pieces last year. During the 2024 preseason, Brown went down with a shoulder injury that did require surgery. Weeks later, Rice suffered an LCL tear that sidelined him for the season’s remainder. Rice has since recovered but is out of the mix due to a suspension in connection with a hit-and-run accident that brought eight felony charges. Brown worked as Patrick Mahomes‘ top target in Week 1, catching 10 passes (on a whopping 16 targets) for 99 yards against the Chargers.
The Chiefs have steadily seen Mahomes fall off the stratospheric pace he set during his early seasons as their starter. Their receiver plan, Travis Kelce‘s presence notwithstanding, has undoubtedly contributed to the soon-to-be 30-year-old passer’s production dip. Kelce’s dominant 2022 season helped the Chiefs after their Tyreek Hill trade, but the increasingly popular tight end has been in decline since that Suepr Bowl LVII-winning season. That component has amplified the issues the Chiefs have run into post-Hill.
Rumors about a Hill-Chiefs reunion appear premature, with the Dolphins holding off on any trade talks involving the mercurial standout. The Chiefs are also focusing on having Worthy healthy and paired with Rice (come late October) rather than reacquiring the star they developed, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
While Mahomes remains one of the NFL’s best players, the Chiefs have ranked 15th in scoring offense in each of the past two years. They have increasingly relied on Steve Spagnuolo‘s defense for protection against running into shootout game scripts, but that unit struggled against the Chargers. The Eagles will present a challenge as well, but the team will hope to begin reassembling its receiving corps soon after this Super Bowl LIX rematch.
Steelers, Chiefs ‘Eyeing’ Tyreek Hill?
SEPTEMBER 13: Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms (subscription required) the Dolphins are not actively looking to trade Hill, adding calls have yet to be made on the subject. In the event Miami continues to struggle, however, interest could pick up before the trade deadline.
SEPTEMBER 11: Trade rumors followed Tyreek Hill throughout the offseason, and the Dolphins’ 33-8 drubbing at the hands of the Colts has only intensified speculation that the veteran wide receiver could be on his way out of Miami.
The Steelers and the Chiefs are both “eyeing” Hill after Week 1, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (via the Rich Eisen Show).
Kansas City has a clear need at wide receiver following Xavier Worthy‘s injury and Rashee Rice‘s suspension. Hill would especially help a Chiefs downfield passing game that has stagnated since he left the team in 2022.
The Steelers, meanwhile, could continue their apparent all-in push for the 2025 season by pairing Hill with D.K. Metcalf to give Aaron Rodgers one of the top receiver duos in the NFL. Pittsburgh did have Calvin Austin emerge as a potential WR2 in Week 1 with a 4-70-1 statline, but Hill’s All-Pro pedigree and track record of high-end production would still be an upgrade.
Hill is due $36MM in nonguaranteed compensation in 2026 with a $51.9MM cap hit, per OverTheCap, making it unlikely that he stays in Miami past this year. His contract could be a major obstacle to an offseason trade, so the Dolphins might try to move on early to get a better return. Hill is due $11.8MM this season, which is now down to $11.1MM after Week 1 and will drop by an additional $694K per week.
However, the potential for a suspension resulting from recent domestic violence allegations will likely delay any trade inquiries until after the league completes a potential investigation. Until there is some clarity on the situation, other teams won’t want to move draft capital for a rental with an uncertain outlook for the rest of the season. Florio said the accusations against Hill are “a massive complication that wasn’t there when the chatter began.”
Indeed, the Dolphins have received “zero” calls regarding Hill, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, nor is the team currently looking to move him.
Were that to change, trade compensation would still need to be negotiated. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Dolphins would want “something in the range of a third-round pick and maybe a Day 2 pick on top of that,” while Florio referenced the 2025 deal that sent Davante Adams from the Raiders to the Jets in exchange for a third-round pick. The Steelers also gave up a second-round pick for Metcalf earlier this year, offering another framework for a potential Hill trade.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/12/25
Here is today’s only minor transaction:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived (with injury settlement): DT BJ Thompson
A 2023 fifth-round pick, the Stephen F. Austin product has only appeared in one game, the final contest of his rookie season. During a team meeting last summer, Thompson suffered a seizure that resulted in cardiac arrest for more than 90 seconds. He regained consciousness a few days later. Ever since, the Chiefs have played it very safe when it comes to his playing future. He spent the summer on the active/non-football injury list and was not activated in time for the final roster cut deadline.
Chiefs Not Expected To Place WR Xavier Worthy On IR
A collision with Travis Kelce during the Chiefs’ season opener resulted in a dislocated shoulder for Xavier Worthy. It remains unclear how long the second-year wideout will be unavailable, but a positive update emerged on Wednesday.
Head coach Andy Reid said (via The Athletic’s Jesse Newell) surgery is not being considered at this point. The same is also true of a stint on injured reserve. Provided the Chiefs do not place Worthy on IR, he will remain eligible to return to the lineup at any time (as opposed to a four-game absence being mandated by an IR move).
Reid noted Worthy’s rehab is ongoing, and yesterday he referred to the 2024 first-rounder as “day-to-day.” Missed time in Week 2 could certainly still be in store as a result, but if no surgery is to take place a return to action relatively soon is likely expected. Worthy’s presence is of course particularly valuable early in the campaign while fellow wideout Rashee Rice serves his six-game suspension.
Late in his rookie campaign, Worthy emerged as a key figure in Kansas City’s passing game. Expectations were high entering 2025 as a result, and losing the Texas product early in Week 1 dealt a blow to the team’s offense. Marquise Brown will be counted on to operate as a vertical threat moving forward, and ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes Tyquan Thornton will be tasked with taking on Worthy’s role in the starting lineup if necessary. The former Patriots draftee enjoyed a strong training camp and as a pending restricted free agent, he could help his value with at least a short stint on the first-team offense.
Given this latest Worthy update, though, a lengthy period on the sidelines appears unlikely. The Chiefs will take on the Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch during Week 2, and the coming days will offer clarity on whether or not Worthy will be available.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/10/25
Wednesday’s taxi squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Channing Tindall
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Phidarian Mathis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE K.J. Henry
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Jaylon Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from practice squad/injured list (with injury settlement): WR Jalen Reagor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Jacob Sykes
- Released: CB Eli Ricks
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: QB Logan Woodside
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Messiah Swinson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: P Mitch Wishnowsky
- Released: TE Lawrence Cager
With regular punter Tress Way in danger of missing this week’s Thursday Night matchup in Green Bay with a back injury, Washington has signed the former 49ers veteran as insurance.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/9/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K John Parker Romo
- Released: LB Ronnie Perkins
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Cornelius Johnson
- Released: LB Malik Hamm
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Dallis Flowers
- Released: DB Tre Flowers
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Ralph Holley
- Released: RB Trayveon Williams
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Deuce Vaughn
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Devin Cochran, LB Monty Rice
- Released: LB Anthony Pittman
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Keydrain Calligan, S Darrick Forrest
- Released: C Mose Vavao, S Trey Washington
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Hal Presley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Released: RB Nyheim Hines
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Hunter Dekkers, QB Jake Haener
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Keilan Robinson
- Released: RB Lawrance Toafili
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Jake Majors
- Released: RB Montrell Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Robbie Chosen
Today’s practice squad transactions are highlighted by the release of a veteran running back. Nyheim Hines has been looking to revive his career since he missed the 2023 season thanks to a leg injury sustained in a jet ski collision. Since he was released by the Bills after that campaign, he’s spent time with the Browns and Chargers without getting into a game. A former fourth-round pick, Hines had four productive seasons with the Colts to begin his career, including a 2020 campaign where he compiled 862 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy Suffers Dislocated Shoulder, Expected To Miss Time
The Chiefs, already short-handed at the wide receiver position due to Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension, are now expected to be without Xavier Worthy for an undetermined amount of time, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link). Worthy collided with teammate Travis Kelce during Kansas City’s Week 1 loss to the Chargers on Friday, and he sustained a dislocated shoulder as a result.
Worthy will obtain a second opinion on the matter, and Rapoport says the most likely scenario is that the second-year pro will be able to return this season and play with a brace. That said, surgery is still an option as of the time of this writing.
The 28th overall pick of the 2024 draft, Worthy set a scouting combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the event, though that speed did not translate to massive yards-per-reception numbers in his first NFL regular season. Worthy was targeted 98 times last year, and he hauled in 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns.
He did, however, add 20 carries for 104 yards and three more scores, and he elevated his game in the postseason. In three playoff games, Worthy caught 19 of his 21 targets, tallying 287 yards and three TDs. That led to heightened expectations for the 2025 slate, especially in the wake of Rice’s early-season ban.
Unfortunately, those expectations will be put on hold for the time being. The Chiefs still have Hollywood Brown as a big-play threat, and Brown and fellow veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster combined to catch 15 passes for 154 yards in the Los Angeles game.
Meanwhile, fourth-round rookie Jalen Royals missed the regular season opener due to a knee injury, so the Chiefs are certainly feeling the pinch when it comes to their WR depth chart. Although Rapoport does not say so, it is fair to wonder if the team will look to fortify the group with a free agent signing.
At present, Tyler Boyd and Nelson Agholor represent two of the most accomplished names on the list of FA wideouts.
2025 Offseason In Review Series
Here are PFR’s breakdowns of each NFL team’s 2025 offseason.
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
Eagles, Panthers Showed Interest In Micah Parsons Trade
Last night’s season opener began the post-Micah Parsons era for the Cowboys. Dallas’ decision to trade away the All-Pro one week before their regular season began came as a shock to many and took place after interest from a number of suitors was shown. 
Following Parsons’ trade request, teams around the league did not view a swap as realistic. Dallas’ stance shifted over time, however, and calls came in before the team informed Parsons and his camp he would be play out his fifth-year option in 2025 or be dealt. Further details have now emerged regarding the trade market which took shape.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Eagles made a “strong push” to acquire Parsons this offseason. That comes as little surprise, of course. General manager Howie Roseman has a reputation for being aggressive in pursuing impact roster moves, and adding Parsons to the fold would have helped offset the losses Philadelphia suffered in the pass rush department during free agency. Josh Sweat took a Cardinals pact on the open market while Brandon Graham retired and Bryce Huff was traded to the 49ers.
The Eagles made a pair low-cost investments in Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, inking both to one-year pacts. Their projected impacts pale in comparison to what Parsons would have been counted on to contribute, of course. In any case, a homecoming for the Pennsylvania native and Penn State product did not receive serious consideration on Dallas’ part. As Schefter notes – and as Jerry Jones stated in his post-draft press conference last week – the Cowboys were not willing to trade Parsons within the division.
In addition to the Packers, other NFC suitors were present in this case. One of those was the Panthers, per Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler. He notes Carolina called about Parsons and showed interest in a potential trade. No formal offer was made by general manager Dan Morgan, however. The Cowboys targeted a defensive tackle upgrade when evaluating partners for a Parsons trade, meaning Derrick Brown would have been involved in any serious discussions had they taken place. The Panthers opted to keep Brown (instead of wideout D.J. Moore) in place when trading with the Bears for the No. 1 pick in 2023, so it comes as no surprise Carolina was not as aggressive as other suitors.
Fowler adds Parsons was “intrigued” by a few destinations, with the Packers being one of them. Before his trade (and record-breaking extension) was in place, though, the 26-year-old also showed interest in joining the Chiefs and Ravens. Per Fowler, Kansas City was never truly in contention to pull off the move. Baltimore, like other teams, would have been hard-pressed to fit a Parsons deal into future cap planning; the Ravens also would have faced a logjam along the edge had no outside linebackers been sent back in the trade.
In the end, the Packers agreed to send Kenny Clark and their first-round pick in the next two drafts to the Cowboys for Parsons. The effects of the deal will be felt by both organizations for years to come, while other suitors will move forward with their current setups on the edge.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/5/25
Here are Friday’s minor transactions as we await Game 2 of the 2025 season, including today’s standard gameday practice squad elevations for the Chiefs and Chargers:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: DT Sam Roberts
- Released: WR David Sills
- Released (with injury settlement): CB Grayland Arnold
Chicago Bears
- Waived (with injury settlement): C Doug Kramer
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Tanner McLachlan
Green Bay Packers
- Waived (with injury settlement): S Omar Brown
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived (with injury settlement): K Maddux Trujillo
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: DT Marlon Tuipulotu
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/retired list: WR Amari Cooper (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: LS Rick Lovato, T Foster Sarell
Each NFL team is granted two standard gameday practice squad elevations each game, allowing them to call up two members of their practice squad that are able to play in that weekend’s game. After the game is played, the elevated players revert back to the practice squad with no transaction required. This differs from a transaction like we saw earlier today wherein wide receiver Justin Shorter was signed to the Raiders’ active roster from their practice squad. He is now permanently on the team’s 53-man roster until they cut him or until his contract expires.
Practice squad players can be called up a maximum of three times under a single practice squad contract. If the team wants to call up a player who’s been called up three times already, team’s will usually sign the player to their active roster for a game, cut them after, and then sign them to a new practice squad contract. Under a new contract, the player would be eligible to be elevated for three more games.