Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce took full responsibility for injuring teammate Xavier Worthy in their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Travis Kelce Talks Xavier Worthy Injury
For the Chiefs, the season opener in Brazil did not go according to plan.
On the third snap of the game, Kelce collided with Worthy on a crossing route across the middle of the field. Worthy took the brunt of the collision and fell to the ground.
Worthy left the game with an injured right shoulder.
Without Worthy, the Chiefs’ offense struggled to generate any dynamic plays in the 27-21 loss to the Chargers.
Kelce spoke about the incident with his brother, Jason, on the latest episode of New Heights. The soon-to-be 36-year-old said there is “no excuse” for what he did to his teammate.
“I ran into one of my guys and offed him out of the game. I literally took one of my players out.” Kelce said. “That’s one of the most frustrating parts, and it’s hard to get your juices back going knowing you just hurt a guy.”
Kelce explained that he was trying to free Worthy from his man. Instead, he knocked Worthy out of the game.
“I’m supposed to be running my route at depth for Worthy, so it’s frustrating for me. I was trying to kind of set up my guy to be able to get in a position and it all just happened pretty quick. And I just got to be better man,” Kelce explained. “I’m 13 years in the league. There’s no excuse for me running into my own guys like that. Worthy has his guy beat, and we’re out the gate, and that game starts completely different.”
Will Xavier Worthy Play In Week 2 Against The Eagles?
No surgery and no IR (minimum 4 games missed) for Xavier Worthy suggests a return in the near future could take place. https://t.co/9IDDvqNm9V
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 10, 2025
Things looked bleak for Worthy after the injury. However, there is some good news about a potential return.
Head coach Andy Reid said that Worthy will rehab his injury for the time being and that surgery and an IR stint are “not being considered at this time.” (via Jesse Newell)
Theoretically, Worthy could play on Sunday in the Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kelce is pulling for Worthy and believes the second-year pro will have a massive jump in production.
“I’m not sure where he’s at healthwise, but I’m hoping that we get him back as fast as possible because he means so much to this team. … I can see that guy and how hard he works, and I can see his game getting better, and I know he’s going to take the league by storm when he gets back,” Kelce said.
In 2024, Worthy ended his rookie campaign with 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns.
The Chiefs (0-1) host the Eagles (1-0) in Week 2 as part of America’s Game of the Week.
